2020 Domaine de l'A, Côtes de Castillon, Bordeaux

2020 Domaine de l'A, Côtes de Castillon, Bordeaux

Product: 20201421114
Prices start from £150.00 per case Buying options
2020 Domaine de l'A, Côtes de Castillon, Bordeaux

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Available by the case In Bond. Pricing excludes duty and VAT, which must be paid separately before delivery. Storage charges apply.
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6 x 75cl bottle
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Description

There was only a limited quantity of this wine available, which has unfortunately now sold out. If you would like to hear about Bordeaux 2020 En Primeur releases, sign up here.

Merlot 75%, Cabernet Franc 25%

Stéphane and Christine Derenoncourt’s vines were affected by poor flowering, the principal cause of their low yields (25hl/ha). The wine is especially floral in 2020, a charming mix of violet and peony over the ripe, fresh black fruits. What sets this wine apart from many peers in Castillon are the sumptuous, silky tannins; there is none of the spikey firmness often found in the appellation. The wine glides to a moreish, saline finish.

Drink 2025-2033

wine at a glance

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Critics reviews

Antonio Galloni, Vinous91-93/100
The 2020 Domaine de L'A is incredibly reticent today. Given how well it ages, that should not be a huge concern. Dark-fleshed fruit, graphite and spice gradually open with a bit of coaxing, all framed by bright saline notes that build into the persistent finish. I imagine the 2020 is going to need a number of years to shine. It is a hugely promising wine, even in the very early going.

Drink from 2028 to 2040

Antonio Galloni, Vinous (June 2021) Read more
Jane Anson93/100
Enjoyably slick toasting of cedar and liquorice root, black cherry, silky texture and a good bounce through the tannins. This is expertly done, sleek and hard to argue with.

Drink 2023 - 2034

Jane Anson, Decanter.com (May 2021) Read more
James Suckling93-94/100
A dense, layered red with blackcurrant, licorice and dark earth. Some violets, too. Full-bodied with a chewy, polished finished.

James Suckling, jamessuckling.com (April 2021) Read more
Vinous91-93/100
The 2020 Domaine de L'A is incredibly reticent today. Given how well it ages, that should not be a huge concern. Dark-fleshed fruit, graphite and spice gradually open with a bit of coaxing, all framed by bright saline notes that build into the persistent finish. I imagine the 2020 is going to need a number of years to shine. It is a hugely promising wine, even in the very early going.

Drink 2028 - 2040

Antonio Galloni, vinous.com (April 2021) 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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