Château D'Aiguilhe(2003)

its pedigree. (4/06)Wine Spectator 91 Aromas of blackberry, spices, chocolate and meat follow through to a full-bodied palate, with lots of juicy fruit. Luscious finish. Gorgeous. This has a new winery, but the clay soil of the vineyards really helped. Best after 2009. 7,000 cases made. (JS) (3/06) Steven Tanzer 89: Good dark red. Wild, meaty aromas of currant and leather. The sweetest and fattest of these three vintages, with a smooth, round texture and an exotic suggestion of truffle. But good minerally lift gives firmness to the finish. A very successful 2003 from limestone and clay soil-like owner Stephan von Neipperg's La Mondotte. (05/06) Decanter 4 Stars: The best ever from this high flying Castillon estate. Deep, bright hue. Beautiful expression of fruit on the nose. Fruit driven attack with mid-palate glycerol roundness and behind a sturdy but ripe tannic structure. Fresh calcaire finish. 2008-2018. Farr Vintners 15.5: Owned by Stéphan von Neipperg of Canon la Gaffeliere. This wine was produced from 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. Yields 30 hl/ha. After a long fermentation (with pumping over and pigeage) the wine is being elevaged sur lie with malolactic fermentation in barrel, of which 50% are new. Plump, supple and creamy and very attractive. Tasted alongside la Mondotte and genuinely not far away in quality. Great Value. Jancis Roninson 16: This wine has always seemed dramatically superior to its appellation and in 2003, grown on limestone, it is a powerful wine: Merlot with 20 per cent Cabernet Franc. Superripe mulberry notes with fine tannins underneath. Opulent. "    (hide)