Cotes de Castillon

Situation and soil about Cotes de Castillon area  
Cotes de Castillon area is south of the Cotes de Francs, and about 60 km far from Bordeaux. The area of Cotes de Castillon is a lovely region of green hills, winding country roads, valleys and small river ports which marks the end of the right bank's Eastern vineyards. The battle of Castillon near the village of Castillon-la-Bataille, put an end in 1453 to the terrible Hundred Years War between the Crown of England and the Kingdom of France. Cotes de Castillon where recognized A.O.C only quite recently (1989), the soil is considered as a natural prolongation of that of Saint Emilion. The sloped vineyards tend to have clay soils which soak up maximum sunlight. However, some vines grow on gravelly soil, which contributes to the diversity of Côtes de Castillon wines. 

Characteristics about Cotes de Castillon appellation 
For a long time the wines of Castillon were only used as complementary alternatives to enhance Saint-Emilion blendings in poor years. But in the 1970's, a particularly dramatic effort by local wine growers improved the overall quality of the production. Producing rather light wines in the past, Castillon, in just a few years, has become a serious competitor of the main appellations of the right bank. During the last 25 years or so, several growers of Saint-Emilion and  Pomerol   have recognized the Cotes de Castillon region's potential and invested in local vineyards. Today, Cotes de Castillon's winegrowers are proud to offer visitors a taste of their rich, fruity wines. In style, the Côtes de Castillon are full bodied and quite tannic in their youth with rich plummy flavors and much personality. 

Main properties of the appellation Cotes de Castillon
The non exhaustive list of the appellation's best properties is: Domaine de l'A, d'Aiguilhe, Fompeyre, Clos l'Eglise, Guilhemanson, La Tuque Bel-Air, Brisson, Cap de Faugères, Pin-Beausoleil and le Pin de Belcier.

Varietals and technical data about Cotes de Castillon appellation
With a surface of 3000 ha, the average production, mostly in red, is of approx. 170000 hl. 

Average yield about Cotes de Castillon appellation: 56 hl/ha. 

Type of vines Cotes de Castillon appellation: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon.