Vineyard
Terroir: Clay-limestone.
Vineyard area currently in production: 90 hectares (222,4 acres).
Grape varieties: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc.
Average age of the vines: 28 years.
Winemaking
Harvesting: By hand, into small crates to avoid bruising.
Sorting before and after destemming.
No crushing. The grapes are put into vats by gravity flow.
Fermentation: In temperature-controlled wooden and concrete vats for 25-30 days depending on the vintage.
Extraction by pneumatic pigeage (punching down the cap).
Malolactic fermentation and ageing: In new oak barrels (up to 50%) on fine lees.
Fining and filtering as necessary, depending on the vintage.
Duration of barrel ageing: 15-18 months

Members of the Franconian aristocracy with a long political and agricultural tradition, the Counts von Neipperg family line can be traced back to the 12th century. Representing some eight centuries of winegrowing and winemaking experience, today Count Stephan von Neipperg manages the 9 family-owned estates, 4 of which are in Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux: Château Canon La Gaffelière, La Mondotte, Clos de l’Oratoire, Château Peyreau.

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.

Formerly the heart of a fortified farm, the château dates from the 13th century. Everything leads us to believe that the Aiguilhe seigneury was vast, with several large fiefs. 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 tendencies of the seigneur... 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, who transformed it into a huge 400-hectare farm in a single block that stayed in his family until 1920.

Today, the estate covers 140 hectares, including 90 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 rather meagre clay-limestone and clay-silt topsoil overlays a limestone substratum that ensures remarkable water regulation. Combined with the average age of the vines, this terroir is ideal for producing quality wine.

Château d'Aiguilhe produces also a fruity and quaffable second wine, known as Seigneurs d'Aiguilhe, and since 2015 a 100% Sauvignon Blanc called Le Blanc d'Aiguilhe.

We recommend pairing this wine with an aperitif, Deli meats, Red meat, White meat, Poultry, Game meat and Cheese.

Aiguilhe is a wine that seduces from the very beginning with its sumptuous aromas. Brilliantly expressing notes of red plum and black cherry, the nose seems to develop a more floral character over time. The entry is both lively and soothing. The mid-palate is juicy upon remarkably silky tannins, all enriched with plenty of fruit. The finish is delicious and the wine is overall a perfect testament to the quality sought after by the team of Stephan von Neipperg.

Harvested under excellent climatic conditions between September 30th and October 18th, 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc will enter this year's blend of Château d'Aiguilhe 2016, contributing to this Castillon Côtes of Bordeaux a bright fruity quality and straightforward character on the palate. A wine produced in barrels, of which 30% are new oak, a detail that explains the very fruity profile, which is not masked by the toasted character often observable at this stage of production and tasting.