Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux
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Saint-Émilion's limestone plateau at a fraction of the price
About Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux
- Producers listed
- 20
Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux is a Right Bank Bordeaux appellation located immediately east of Saint-Émilion along the Dordogne River, covering 2,300 hectares across 9 communes and nearly 200 winegrowing families. Its varied terroir ranges from alluvial gravels near the river to clay-limestone and marlstone on the elevated plateau — the largest limestone plateau on Bordeaux's Right Bank, sharing the same geology as the great Saint-Émilion estates. With an altitude difference of over 100 metres, microclimates shift from humid maritime near the river to cooler continental conditions at height. Wines are Merlot-dominant (75%), blended with Cabernet Franc (14%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (8%), resulting in richly fruited, round, and velvety reds with soft tannins and lively acidity. Approximately 25% of producers practise organic or biodynamic viticulture, making this one of Bordeaux's greenest appellations. Notable producers include Château d'Aiguilhe (Stephan von Neipperg) and Domaine de l'A (Stéphane Derenoncourt), while Saint-Émilion luminaries such as Gérard Perse of Château Pavie and Juliette Bécot of Beau-Séjour Bécot also craft wines here.
Best for
Everyday Bordeaux lovers seeking Right Bank richness at accessible prices
Food Pairings
Roast beef, braised lamb, duck confit, beef bourguignon, grilled ribeye, charcuterie, aged hard cheeses such as Comté and Gruyère, and hearty mushroom-based dishes
Producers
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Château Cap de Faugères
Château Cap de Faugères is an estate of 18.5 hectares located in the commune of Sainte Colombe, in the Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux appellation. Purchased in 2005 by Swiss businessman and Lalique Group chairman Silvio Denz — who also owns Château Faugères and Château Péby Faugères in Saint-Émilion — the property benefits from the same winemaking team and exacting quality standards as its prestigious siblings. The vineyard sits on clay-limestone slopes that are a natural extension of the Saint-Émilion plateau, planted to 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, with an average vine age of 30 years. Winemaking overseen by consultant Stephan von Neipperg involves a five-day cold soak, fermentation in stainless steel tanks, and 12 months of aging in mostly one-year-old French oak barrels. The result is a plush, polished, terroir-driven red that delivers unmistakable Right Bank elegance at a highly accessible price point — consistently cited as one of the finest values in the Côtes de Bordeaux.
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www.vignobles-silvio-denz.com/en/propriete/chateau-cap-de-faugeres/シャトー・コート・モンペザ
Château Côte-Montpézat
Château Côte-Montpézat is a 30-hectare estate located 40 km east of Bordeaux, on the clay-limestone hillsides that form a direct extension of the Saint-Émilion plateau. Owned by Dominique Bessineau since 1989, the estate combines tradition with rigorous environmental stewardship: it holds HVE Level 4 (Haute Valeur Environnementale) — France's highest sustainable farming standard — the Bee Friendly label, and Terra Vitis certification since 2024. The vineyards, with an average vine age of 30 years, are planted with 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Renowned consultant Michel Rolland guides winemaking, while Thomas Duclos has managed the vineyards since 2015. Vinification takes place in stainless steel vats, followed by barrel ageing in 30% new French oak. The estate's premium cuvée, Compostelle, draws its name from an ancient legend: 17th-century documents record that pilgrims on the Santiago de Compostela route stopped to draw water from the château's well. A member of the Grand Cercle des Vins de Bordeaux.
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www.cote-montpezat.comシャトー・ジョアナン・ベコ
Château Joanin Bécot
Château Joanin Bécot is a prestigious estate in the Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, located in the commune of Saint-Philippe d'Aiguilhe. Purchased in February 2001 by Juliette Bécot — daughter of Gérard Bécot, owner of the Premier Grand Cru Classé Château Beau-Séjour Bécot in Saint-Émilion — the 12.6-hectare estate has undergone a remarkable transformation. The vineyard's clay-limestone terroir closely mirrors that of Saint-Émilion, providing ideal growing conditions for the estate's 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc blend. Juliette Bécot's winemaking philosophy centers on preserving the pure flavors and charm of the fruit, treating each vine like a cherished plant in a beautiful garden. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine is aged in an innovative combination of 45% new French oak barrels, large foudres, and amphora vessels, allowing nuanced complexity to develop without masking the fruit's purity. Château Joanin Bécot has earned consistent critical recognition including two stars from Guide Hachette des Vins, and is widely celebrated as an accessible, elegant expression of Bordeaux's right-bank character.
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Château La Clarière Laithwaite
Château La Clarière Laithwaite is one of the pioneering estates of the Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, championed by British wine entrepreneur Tony Laithwaite — founder of Laithwaites Wine, the UK's largest home wine delivery company. Tony made his first vintage here in 1984, well before Castillon gained its current renown, and the estate has since been recognized by Decanter as 'the leading estate in Côtes de Castillon.' The 30-hectare property sits on the same prized limestone ridge shared with neighboring Saint-Émilion, producing richly structured Merlot-dominant blends with Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Head winemaker Jean-Marc Sauboua oversees the cellar, and the château has amassed over 100 awards across 30 vintages, including more than 20 gold medals. The estate is also the only Bordeaux property to have received Le Prix d'Excellence — an exclusive French distinction awarded to just 12 estates in France.
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www.laithwaites.co.ukシャトー・ラペイロニ
Château Lapeyronie
Château Lapeyronie is a small, family-owned estate located in Gardegan-et-Tourtirac in the Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux appellation. Run by Jean-Frédéric Lapeyronie, a sixth-generation farmer who manages the vineyards, and Hélène Thibaud, a professor of viticulture and enology at the Lycée Agricole de Bordeaux-Blanquefort who oversees the cellar, the domaine has been certified organic since 2013. The estate farms approximately 4 hectares of chalk-clay soils at 86 metres above sea level with southern exposure, growing Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc with vines averaging 40 years of age. Harvests are carried out by hand with multiple passes to ensure optimum ripeness. Wines are fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged for 12 to 16 months in oak barrels, 30 percent of which are new. The estate also produces an exceptionally rare 100% Carménère wine — typically a single barrel — bottled as a Vin de France. Kysela Pere et Fils serves as the US importer.
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www.chateau-lapeyronie.comシャトー・ムーラン・ド・クロット
Château Moulin de Clotte
Château Moulin de Clotte is a historic estate dating back to 1890, located in Les Salles de Castillon — a village just a few kilometers east of Saint-Émilion. Under the stewardship of Françoise Lannoye of Vignobles Lannoye, the château overlooks 8 hectares of vineyards planted with 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Malbec on clay-limestone (argilo-calcaire) soils. The estate's name recalls the locality of 'La Clotte' and an ancient windmill, of which only the millstone remains at the property entrance. Each parcel is vinified separately, followed by a post-fermentation maceration at 28°C for approximately 15 days to extract fruit while preserving roundness, then aged in vats for 18 months. The estate produces several cuvées, including the flagship Château Moulin de Clotte, the premium Arion, and the no-added-sulfite L'Authentique. The wines are regularly recognized by the Guide Hachette des Vins and medals from prestigious French competitions.
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celene-bordeaux.fr/en/chateau/chateau-moulin-de-clotte/
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux compare to Saint-Émilion?
- Castillon shares the same limestone plateau geology as Saint-Émilion and produces similarly round, Merlot-driven wines with soft tannins. The key differences are price — Castillon is dramatically more affordable — and climate: Castillon is slightly cooler and harvests a little later, requiring careful vineyard management. Many Saint-Émilion owners (Gérard Perse, Juliette Bécot, Stephan von Neipperg) produce wine in Castillon precisely because of the terroir quality.
- What grape varieties are used in Castillon-Côtes de Bordeaux?
- The appellation uses three red grape varieties: Merlot (approximately 75%), Cabernet Franc (approximately 14%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (approximately 8%). Merlot thrives particularly on the clay and clay-limestone soils of the mid-slopes and plateau.
- When did the appellation change its name?
- The region was originally sold under the name 'Près Saint-Emilionnais' before AOC legislation in 1935. It became 'Bordeaux Supérieur Côtes de Castillon', then 'Côtes de Castillon' AOC from 1988. In 2009 (from the 2008 vintage), it joined three other Côtes de Bordeaux (Blaye, Cadillac, Francs) to form the unified 'Côtes de Bordeaux' family while retaining the Castillon prefix.
- Are Castillon wines suitable for ageing?
- Yes. Entry-level wines are approachable young (2–5 years), but the best plateau wines — especially from producers like Château d'Aiguilhe and Clos Puy Arnaud — can age comfortably for 8–15 years, developing additional complexity while retaining freshness.
- Is there organic or biodynamic production in Castillon?
- Yes. Approximately 25% of Castillon producers are certified organic or biodynamic, making it one of the most environmentally progressive appellations in Bordeaux. Clos Puy Arnaud (Demeter-certified since 2005) is a leading example.