
The Château overlooks the Dordogne valley above the village of Castillon-la-Bataille, adjacent to its prestigious neighbour Saint Emilion, only 8 km away. The vineyards are planted on the upper part of predominantly south facing slopes which provide excellent natural drainage and optimum exposure to the sun.
The origins of the estate date back to the early 15th century, not long before the famous battle of Castillon took place in 1453, which ended the Hundred-Years war between the English and the French. With the two other major events that occurred the same year (invention of printing by Gutenberg in Germany, fall of Constantinople in Turkey), most historians consider 1453 to mark the endof the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Renaissance. Highlighting the property’s historical significance, each summer, the estate pays host to the re-enactment of this battle, an epic spectacle with 600 actors and cavaliers.
Château Castegens and its vineyard have been in the same family for 160 years. Curator of the tradition of excellence within the Appellation, the current owner, Baron Jean-Louis de Fontenay, since 1994, has been continuously elected by his peers the Grand Master of the « Confrérie des Chevaliers des Côtes de Castillon ».
Côtes de Bordeaux – Castillon is one of the most ancient wine region in the Bordeaux area,
Area under vine : 28 hectares (estate’s total surface is 120 hectares)
The soil is made of clay and limestone, with an emergence of flint.
The vineyard is planted with 80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon
The average age of the vines : 30 years old - Density : 5000 plants / ha
Viticulture
Leaf thinning on one side, green harvesting on the youngest vines, minimising of environmental impact.
Average yield : 45 hectolitres per hectare
Winemaking
Temperature controlled fermentation, micro-oxygenation, hydraulic vertical wine press.
Ageing : 12 months in French and American oak barrels (a third is renewed each year).
Chateau Castegens Cotes de Bordeaux Castillon is made from 80% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The wine boasts an intense, deep and lively red color. The nose offers black fruit, blackberry, cigar box, licorice, some delicate and integrated oak flavors as well. The mouth is full of fruit flavors, spice and fine toasty flavors. The structure is rich, but the tannins are well integrated already. The finish is long and a slight mintiness give the wine a great length and some purity.
Pairs great with meat and vegetables on the grill.
Dr. Loosen Riesling Eiswein is made from 100 percent Riesling.
This vibrant, racy dessert wine conjures flavors of densely packed pear, apple and guava, with an intense, nervy edge in the aroma. It is luscious, silky and juicy on the palate, with bright acidity giving it a crisp, dynamic finish.
Review:
'Ma Belle-Fille' was named by Sir Peter as a warm tribute to Emily Michael, his "Daughter-in-Law", and mother of the third generation of the family. Planted at the highest elevation on the estate, the marine influence on Ma Belle-Fille vineyard is greater, resulting in cooler daily temperatures in the summer and autumn months. Situated above the summer fog ceiling and exposed to the southeast, the vineyard receives the very first rays of sunshine each morning and remains sunny all day long. This full exposure, combined with cooler temperatures, causes the fruit to mature earlier than the rest of our estate.
Vintage Notes
The combination of a wet winter with significant rains in December through March and cool weather delayed budbreak nearly a month. Flowering and fruit set were also pushed back and the weather during the later flowering was favorable resulting in decent fruit set and slightly above average yields for the Chardonnay vineyards—a marked improvement over the record-low yielding 2022 vintage. The growing season was temperate without major heat spikes allowing the berries to hold onto their acidity which carried through into the wines. Harvest was almost a month later than normal with the last Belle Cote block coming in on November 2nd.
At the highest elevation on the estate, the marine influence on Ma Belle-Fille is greater, resulting in cooler daily temperatures in the summer and autumn months. Situated far above the summer fog ceiling and exposed to the southeast, the vineyard receives the very first rays of sunshine each morning and remains sunny all day long. This full exposure, combined with cooler temperatures, causes the fruit to mature earlier than the rest of our estate.
Beautifully perfumed with layers of honeysuckle, jasmine and dried orange peel accented by apricot, vanilla cream and spring flower notes, the 2023 ‘Ma Belle-Fille’ delivers with a rich, creamy entry and generous, structured mid-palate showing great drive and intensity with a long, mouth-watering finish. A truly special wine from an extraordinary vintage.
Review:
So delicious and drinkable from the first whiff to the lingering finish. An uber-chardonnay that packs in all the richness of fruit and smooth spiciness of oak fermentation, with vibrant acidity and a silky texture. Well balanced in a cool, ideal vintage and a great candidate for aging longer term. Drinkable now and best from 2030.
James Suckling 99 Points