This 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.
by JS, James Suckling , 2018
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.
by JM, Wine Spectator , 2018
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".