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For the rest of the meal we polished off an excellent and well-priced 2009 Château d’Aiguilhe since I do not often encounter Stephan von Neipperg’s Côtes de Castillon with maturity. Deep in colour, the 2009 has a gorgeous bouquet that probably reflects the growing season more than the terroir: scents of black fruit, black olive, a little iodine and just the right amount of comforting alcohol warmth. The palate is full-bodied yet balanced, with rounded clove-infused black fruit and a light black truffle note on the glycerin-rich finish. The 2009 might actually be a year away from its peak; it is one of those wines that go for the sensory jugular rather than the intellect, and why not?
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Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
(80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc): Bright medium ruby. Expressive, inviting aromas of black raspberry and minerals. Dense, sweet and seamless, with lovely energy and definition to its its dark raspberry and chocolate flavors. Finishes with smooth, suave tannins and slow-building length. The best result to date from this chateau, which is owned by Stephan von Neipperg, proprietor of Canon La Gaffeliere and La Mondotte. This wine aged on its lees for 17 months before being bottled without fining or filtration. Enjoy it over the next 12 to 15 years.
Lightly soapy nose with more freshness than the 2010. Very sharp with, oddly, pronounced acidity! A very atypical 2009. (JR)