CASTILLON 2016

Check the names of the investors in Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux over the past 20 years, and you’ll see that the region clearly has something to offer. Right Bank heavyweights such as Stephan von Neipperg of Château Canon La Gaffelière (at Château d’Aiguilhe), Gérard Perse of Pavie (Clos Lunelles), the Bécots of Beau-Séjour Bécot (Château Joanin Bécot), Denis Durantou of L’Eglise-Clinet (Château Montlandrie) and the Thienponts of Le Pin (L’Hêtre) have been seduced by the region – and with good reason. The 2,300ha appellation is basically a prolongation of the St-Emilion hillslopes, with vineyard prices that are 10 times less expensive. The appellation takes its name from the riverside town of Castillon-la-Bataille, the scene of the 1453 battle that ended English rule in Aquitaine. Until the 1930s the wines were sold