Bordeaux, by praising certain producing regions, from which the most famous wines in the world come (Pomerol, Médoc, Graves, Sauternes, etc.), in a way, ‘hides’ many other regions that deserve attention
Bordeaux, by praising certain producing regions, from where the most famous wines in the world come from (Pomerol, Médoc, Graves, Sauternes, etc.), in a way, “hides” many other regions that deserve attention. This is the case of Castillon.
The Castillon — Côtes de Bordeaux appellation is located east of Bordeaux, along the banks of the Dordogne, with the nucleus in Castillon-la-Bataille and neighboring communes (Belvès-de-Castillon, Saint-Sulpice-de-Faleyrens, Puynormand, etc.). The area is historically known for the Battle of Castillon (1453) — which marked the end of the English presence in Aquitaine — and has medieval roots visible in local towns and fortresses.
Since the 20th century, viticulture has progressively gained importance as a local economic driver, and in 2008 the sub-region joined, with Blaye, Cadillac and Francs, the collective label “Côtes de Bordeaux”, whilst maintaining its specificities.
The local population maintains strong ties with the French rural tradition: small family farms, mixed agriculture (cereals, livestock) and — increasingly — viticulture and wine tourism. Viticulture transformed the rural economy, attracting investment in modern techniques and wine tourism (wine houses, tasting routes in Castillon-la-Bataille itself). The rural landscape is punctuated by vineyards on southern slopes and historic villages that serve both the traditional farmer and the wine tourist visitor.
Castillon’s terroir is varied, with three predominant types: clay on the low slopes next to the river, clay-limestone on the foothills and limestone on the plateau — soil similar to that of Saint-Émilion in some points. The exposure tends to favor maturation (southern orientation) and there are altitude differences of around 100 meters that help with the variety of styles. The dominant grape varieties are Merlot (preponderant), Cabernet-Franc and, to a lesser extent, Cabernet-Sauvignon and Malbec; other Bordeaux varieties appear in a smaller proportion. These cuts produce red wines that are structured, fruity and capable of aging, especially those made on sites with limestone soil.
Many local producers combine traditional practices with modern techniques: espalier training, canopy management to balance production and quality, mechanized or manual harvesting depending on the size of the Château, and controlled use of oak in winemaking. There is a growing movement towards more sustainable management practices on more prestigious properties. In terms of quality, Castillon produces red wines with a good price-quality ratio, from young and fruity examples to medium/high range labels with aging potential (10+ years in good wines). The diversity of soils allows for varied styles — from rounder, more mature wines (Merlot on clayey soils) to firmer, longer-lived wines (Cabernet-Franc on limestone soils).
Overall, Castillons have an intense ruby color; aromas of black and red fruits (plum, cassis), floral notes and touches of herbs/earth in wines with a greater presence of Cabernet-Franc. The body is medium to full-bodied, with firm but sometimes well-integrated tannins and acidity suitable for aging. In general, they are aging wines.
Castillon does not belong to the “Grand Crus Classés” list of Médoc or Saint-Émilion itself, but it is home to several châteaux with an excellent reputation that make wine with ambition (e.g.: Château de Pressac — historically associated with good qualities, Château Brillette in satellites and other leading local producers). The region is often seen as a satellite of Saint-Émilion: geographically close and with similar limestone terroirs in parts, but with generally more affordable prices — which makes it important for those looking for a Bordeaux profile at a lower cost. Castillon’s role within Bordeaux is to provide red wines with a regional character, reinforcing the diversity of the “satellites” and contributing to the global image of Bordeaux as a plural region (not just Médoc/Graves/Libournais).
Here we find several labels, such as: Château German, Château Brisson, Château Fongaban, Château La Brande, Château de Pitray among many others. Finally, it is a sub-region with a strong identity: varied terroirs (clay, clay-
limestone, limestone), classic Bordeaux grapes (Merlot, Cabernet-Franc, Cabernet-Sauvignon), wines ranging from young fruity to aged red, and a strategic role in Bordeaux as an area of quality at more accessible prices and with growing recognition. For those who appreciate Bordeaux, but are looking for value for money and tannic/earthy profiles close to Saint-Émilion, Castillon deserves attention. Cheers!
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
