Bordeaux to Drink or Hold: Ch. d’AIGUILHE, Castillon, 2012
Beginning in 1998, Stefan von Neipperg of Ch. Canon La Gaffeliere (among others) fame created and continues to build Ch. d’Aiguilhe which has now become reference standard against which the rest of the Cote de Castillon is judged. A blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc grown on red clay over Limestone (a sort of extension of the terroir of St. Emilion) made to the standards of premiere grand cru classé St. Emilion. 2012 is a vintage that is drinking well now but still has some room for further positive development with cellaring.
Ch. d’AIGUILHE, Cotes de Castillon, 2012
A blend of 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc grown on clay over limestone terroir fermented in temperature controlled oak vats using pneumatic pigeage (punching down) with some pump-overs and aged 15 months in all French oak barrels (50% new). Purple-red color with well formed legs; dry, medium-plus-bodied with balanced acidity and medium-plus phenolics. Lovely, rich, ripe. Red and some black fruit with notes of mineral earth and pencil shavings. Delicious. Masculine, alive. BearScore: 93.
Cash Bottle: $31.99 Cash “Pick-Six” bottle: $28.79
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