2019 Domaine de l'A, Côtes de Castillon, Bordeaux
Critics reviews
Stéphane and Christiane Derenoncourt's 2019 Domaine de l'A is a real standout. A touch more Franc than in the past helps convey an added kick of brightness and energy that works so well in balancing the wine's natural richness. The 2019 is classy and elegant, with tremendous purity of fruit. The 2019 is terrific, but it also is going to need a few years in bottle to be at its best.
Drink 2026 - 2039
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com (February 2022)
Very deep purple-black in color, the 2019 Domaine de l'A offers up wonderfully intense scents of baked blackberries, stewed plums and boysenberries with hints of cedar chest, red roses, mocha and clove oil plus a waft of black truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate has a great core of muscular fruit, framed by ripe, rounded grape tannins and notably chewy oak tannins. It has seamless freshness and a long finish delivering plenty of savory/spicy layers. The oak is poking through at this nascent stage, but it should come around beautifully by the time it's bottled and may well warrant a higher score.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (June 2020)
Keep +1 years or carafe for 1 hour.
Dark ruby in colour, with sappy liquorice root, gently spiced raspberry and blackberry puree with peony and violet flowers. An enticingly creamy texture on the opening beats, then it rises upwards and closes inwards as the limestone impact kicks in. Lovely stuff. Good length also. 2nd year of organic conversion, classification in 2020.
Drink 2023 - 2032
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com (November 2021)
The 2019 Domaine de l'A opens in the glass with aromas of sweet blackberries, cassis, spices, flowers and nicely integrated oak. Medium to full-bodied, pure and vibrant, with a fleshy texture and controlled power, it’s a seamless, serious wine that illustrates the estate’s upward trajectory. This is a complete wine that can age beautifully over the next decade.
Created in 1999 by Christine and Stéphane Derenoncourt, two talented winemakers and consultants, Domaine de l’A is located in the commune of Sainte-Colombe, close to Saint-Émilion. The couple now farms 12 hectares of clay-limestone and Molasses du Fronsadais soils, with a density of 6,500 vines per hectare. The estate is managed in accordance with the precepts of biodynamic and organic agriculture without seeking certification. The wines are aromatic, fleshy and seamless, with remarkable ageing potential, delivering terrific quality at a modest price.
Drink 2024 - 2030
Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate (April 2023)
Textured and alive, this is great stuff from Stéphane Derenoncourt's home estate. Linear and direct on the palate, still with some limestone slate austerity coming through the rich, softly spiced blackcurrant and red cherry fruit. This has definition and drive with a satisfying combination of fruit, fragrance (from massal selection Cabernet Franc, 25% of the blend with 60% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon) and minerality. It still feels restrained and held back a little at the moment, although the more you taste the more nuances appear.
Drink 2024 - 2034
Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com (January 2022)
From one of my favourite estates in the Castillon region, the 2019 Domaine De L'A reveals a medium ruby hue as well as a brilliant array of red and black currants, tobacco leaf, sandalwood, and loamy earth, with that classic, savoury minerality that seems to always show from this appellation. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's seamless, flawlessly balanced, has gorgeous tannins, and a great finish. As I've written about past vintages, don't miss it. It will evolve for over two decades.
Drink 2022 - 2042
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (April 2022)
About this WINE
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.
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.
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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Description
Stéphane and Christiane Derenoncourt's 2019 Domaine de l'A is a real standout. A touch more Franc than in the past helps convey an added kick of brightness and energy that works so well in balancing the wine's natural richness. The 2019 is classy and elegant, with tremendous purity of fruit. The 2019 is terrific, but it also is going to need a few years in bottle to be at its best.
Drink 2026 - 2039
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com (February 2022)
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