Château d’Aiguilhe 2015 | Smart buy | 2-5 years of cellaring will be rewarded

Combining power and freshness, the Château d’Aiguilhe 2015 succeeds in expressing the terroir’s strong personality.   Will show very well after 5 years in the bottle.  Ripe, fragrant aromatics. Power but opulence and finesse as well. Fine, fresh grain of tannin and a persistent finish. One of the best yet from this Stephan von Neipperg estate.

92JS | The Château d’Aiguilhe 2015  is a red that shows depth and intense minerality as well as dark-berry and sea-salt undertones. Medium-bodied, tight and focused with blueberry and black-cherry character. Show focus and tightness. Drink now. (2/2018)

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92WA | The 2015 Chateau d’Aiguilhe is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. Very ripe and opulent, quite showing bouquet with fig and date-tinged red berry fruit. The palate is very well balanced with a supple ball of red cherry and strawberry fruit.  Also, a touch of Christmas cake and allspice towards the finish.  In addition, the Cabernet Franc imparts a little edginess, with a saline tincture lingering on the aftertaste. This is a very fine Côtes de Castillon from Comtes Von Neipperg.

92WS | A swath of toasty, singed vanilla starts off, quickly backed by waves of currant and plum preserves. As the flavors knit, a graphite spine emerges and drives the anise- and apple wood-tinged finish. Let this settle in with a little cellaring. Very solid. Best from 2020 through 2027. *Smart Buys* (JM) (3/2018)

90AG | The 2015 d’Aiguilhe is a rich, voluptuous wine. Raspberry jam, rose petal, spice and licorice infuse this heady, exotic wine from Stephan von Neipperg. I would give the 2015 at least another year or two to come together fully. Mocha, white pepper, and chalky notes give the wine an attractive upper register. Tasted two times. (AG) (2/2018)

Château d’Aiguilhe and Stephan von Neipperg

Acquired by Stephan von Neipperg in late 1998, Château d’Aiguilhe is one of the finest and most beautiful vineyards in the Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux appellation. Located back from the river, the château’s dignified ruins bear witness to a long and turbulent history.

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Formerly the heart of a fortified farm, the château dates from the 13th century. Located on the frontier between areas occupied by the French and English during the Hundred Years’ War.  The château had a major strategic role and changed allegiance regularly according to the political atmosphere.

Later on, the château belonged to the Albret family, then the Leberthons, who contributed several members of the Bordeaux parliament. Before emigrating on the eve of the French Revolution, the Leberthons sold the estate to a certain Etienne Martineau.   Then transforming it into a huge 400-hectare farm in a single block that stayed in his family until 1920.

Today, the estate covers 111 hectares, including 50 planted with vines. The vines grow exclusively on the plateau, where they benefit from south-facing sun exposure and excellent natural drainage.

A thin layer of clay-limestone and clay-silt topsoil overlays a limestone substratum which ensures remarkable water regulation. Combined with the average age of the vines, this terroir is ideal for producing quality wine.