2016 Domaine de l'A, Côtes de Castillon, Bordeaux

2016 Domaine de l'A, Côtes de Castillon, Bordeaux

Product: 20161421114
Prices start from £118.00 per case Buying options
2016 Domaine de l'A, Côtes de Castillon, Bordeaux

Buying options

Available by the case In Bond. Pricing excludes duty and VAT, which must be paid separately before delivery. Storage charges apply.
Case format
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Price per case
6 x 75cl bottle
BBX marketplace BBX 1 case £118.00
BBX marketplace BBX 1 case £123.00
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BBX marketplace BBX 1 case £124.00
BBX marketplace BBX 2 cases £125.00
BBX marketplace BBX 4 cases £130.00
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3 x 150cl magnum
BBX marketplace BBX 1 case £130.00
1 x 600cl imperial
BBX marketplace BBX 1 case £200.00
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Description

Tasting this was a revelatory experience: Burgundian thinking in the mould of Bordeaux. Beautifully strung together, it captures the essence of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. A scented nose of black rose petals greets you amidst aromas of muddled hedgerow fruit and lifted, spiced black cherries.

Exuding fresh red plums and cherries, the palate is seamlessly balanced with very fine ripe tannins and a glorious velvety texture, bringing a mouthcoating richness and flavours of damson. There is lots of freshness here, with detailed, pure fruit shining throughout. A limestone acidity contributes to the precision and length of this pretty wine.

It’s all about the fruit, but holds a fine backbone and structure which gradually builds towards the back of the palate. Wonderful to taste in its youth, this is a lot of wine for the money and guarantees enjoyment over the coming 10 to 12 years.

Drink 2020-2028

wine at a glance

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Critics reviews

Wine Advocate91/100
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Domaine de l'A charges forth with notes of blackberry preserves, baked plums and Morello cherries with touches of spice cake, menthol and chocolate box. Medium-bodied, it coats the palate with generous black fruit and spice layers, framed by velvety tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long.

Drink 2019 - 2032

Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Nov 2018) Read more
Wine Spectator93/100
Ripe, focused and pure, with a lovely caressing mouthfeel to the mix of cassis, plum and black cherry puree flavors that cruise through. Light tobacco and iron notes chime in the background as the finish is sneaky long in this refined and balanced wine. Drink now through 2030. 3,917 cases made.

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Mar 2019) Read more
Decanter90/100
Rich and full in character with generous fleshy blackcurrant fruit, a hint of vanilla oak and smooth and rounded tannins. Approachable, if slightly forced, but it hangs together.

Drink 2020 - 2028

James Lawther MW, Decanter.com (Dec 2019) Read more
Jeb Dunnuck94/100
Showing tons of limestone character, the 2016 Domaine de L'A gives up lots of ripe cherry and blackberry fruit, subtle floral and crushed rock, medium to full body, and a beautifully seamless, silky, layered style. As always, it shines for its incredible purity and elegance. It’s worth noting that this cuvée comes from the home estate of renowned consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt and comes from vineyards not far from Péby Faugères and Valandraud. It’s a consistently outstanding wine and has the ability to evolve gracefully for 15+ years.

Drink 2019 - 2034

Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com (Feb 2019) Read more

About this WINE

Domaine de l'A

Domaine de l'A

World-renowned consultant Stèphane Derenoncourt and his wife, Christine, purchased 2.5 hectares in the commune of Sainte-Colombe in the Côtes de Castillon in 1999. Today, they have 11 hectares divided among various parcels, the majority on a south-facing slope with tuffeau limestone soil (to which Stephane attributes his wine’s floral aroma). The average age of the Merlot (70%) and Cabernet Franc (30%) vines is 55 years old. The domaine is organic but – for the time being – uncertified. Yields are tiny: 28 hl/ha in a generous vintage. Owing to its scale, undulating vineyards and the ethereal character of its wines, the domaine has a distinctly Burgundian vibe.

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Côtes de Castillon

Côtes de Castillon

To the east of the St Émilion wine appellation, and on the north bank of the Dordogne, Côtes de Castillon has been the site of considerable interest and investment since the early 2000s. Wine production is significant, yielding over 1.5 million cases per annum and quality is quite variable, ranging from the everyday from the sandy and light gravel soils to imposing, aspirational wines benefiting from considerable investment, and made from the clay and limestone vineyards on higher slopes.

The style of these latter wines is akin to good St Émilion, and the wines use predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In common with other regions recognised to produce interesting and good-value wines, several well-known St Émilion proprietors have invested in the appellation over the past decade, among them Gérard Perse of Ch. Pavie, Stephan Von Neipperg of Canon-la-Gaffelière, and consultant Stéphane Derénoncourt.

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Merlot/Cabernet Franc

Merlot/Cabernet Franc

Merlot and Cabernet Franc are grape varieties commonly used in Bordeaux-style blends, particularly in the Bordeaux region of France. When these two grapes are blended, they can create a wine that combines the best characteristics of each variety.

Merlot is known for its smoothness, soft tannins, and ripe fruit flavours. It often contributes black cherry, plum, and chocolate flavours to the blend. The grapes are relatively easy to grow and ripen earlier than other Bordeaux varieties, making them versatile for blending.

Cabernet Franc, on the other hand, adds structure, depth, and complexity to the blend. It typically brings aromas of red fruits such as raspberry and strawberry, along with herbal notes like bell pepper and tobacco. These grapes have thinner skins and can be more challenging to cultivate, requiring specific growing conditions to reach their full potential.

When Merlot and Cabernet Franc are combined, the result is a well-balanced wine with various flavours and aromas. The blend often exhibits a Bordeaux wine's medium to full body, along with a smooth texture and moderate tannins. The specific flavour profile can vary depending on the proportions of each grape in the blend and the terroir and winemaking techniques employed.

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