Castillon Côtes De Bordeaux

Top 100 Red Wines of 2019 by Jeb Dunnuck - Top 21 Domaine de l’A 2016

Jeb Dunnuck - January 2020

From a property owned by top consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt, this wine is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. It is elegant, developing well in its balance of tannins and maturing fruits. The dry core is destined to soften into a smooth final texture. Drink from late 2021. -R.V.

Wine Enthusiast - October 2020

Very vibrant and polished aromas with some stony mineral notes across purple fruit. The palate has a plush, even and fresh array of blackcurrants and blueberries. Smooth tannins. Nicely cut. Try from 2021. - J.S.

James Suckling - February 2019

From a property owned by top consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt, this wine is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. It is elegant, developing well in its balance of tannins and maturing fruits. The dry core is destined to soften into a smooth final texture. Drink from late 2021. —R.V.

Wine Enthusiast - October 2020

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. - JM

Wine Spectator - March 2019

Very vibrant and polished aromas with some stony mineral notes across purple fruit. The palate has a plush, even and fresh array of blackcurrants and blueberries. Smooth tannins. Nicely cut. Try from 2021. -J.S.

James Suckling - February 2019

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. - J.M.

Wine Spectator - March 2019

A notable success in this domaine, the 2016 Domaine de l'A shows a delicate yet perfumed bouquet with aromas of spices, graphite, plum, dark berries and a touch of licorice. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, this wine is perfectly balanced with powdery tannins, tension, supple texture and a long, lingering finish. Cellar it for another eight years. -Y.C.

Wine Advocate - April 2023

A notable success in this domaine, the 2016 Domaine de l'A shows a delicate yet perfumed bouquet with aromas of spices, graphite, plum, dark berries and a touch of licorice. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, this wine is perfectly balanced with powdery tannins, tension, supple texture and a long, lingering finish. Cellar it for another eight years. – Y.C

Wine Advocate - April 2023

Right from the start you get rich, silky black fruits, although it's tightly turned in on itself and austere right now - as you would expect from vineyards up on the limestone plateau of Castillon. But those finessed tannins are stretched out and fine, and there are beautiful floral notes on the finish. Harvested 7-18 October and aged in 40% new oak. - J.A.

Decanter - October 2018

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. - LPB

Wine Advocate - November 2018

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. - J.L

Decanter - December 2019

The 2016 Domaine de l’A is plush and inviting. Dark cherry, chocolate and spice are pushed forward, and an aromatic lift from the Cabernet Franc appears on the midpalate and finish. This is an especially dense, rich wine for the appellation. Time should help the tannins settle down a bit. There is certainly plenty to look forward to. One of the big developments here has been a move to increase the Cabernet Franc, which is now around 30 percent, from the previous 15-20 percent. This is a hugely appealing wine from Stéphane Derenoncourt. Tasted two times. -.A.G.

Vinous - April 2017