Castillon-Côtes de-Bordeaux AOC is the larger of two areas in the hills to the north of the Dordogne valley on the Bordeaux region’s right bank, adjoining the Saint-Emilion satellites to the east and which gained AOC status in 1989 (the other is Francs Côtes de Bordeaux AOC). The AOC was named Côtes de Castillon AOC until 2008 when it became part of the wider Côtes de Bordeaux group.

History: The town of Castillon-la-Bataille is where in 1452 the French defeated the English forces, ending English rule in Aquitaine.

Communes (8): Belvès-de-Castillon. | Castillon-la-Bataille. | Gardegan-et-Tourtirac. | Saint-Genès-de-Castillon. | Saint-Magne-de-Castillon. | Saint-Philippe-d’Aiguille. | Sainte-Colombe. | Les Salles-de-Castillon.

Terroir: The Cotes de Castillon lies on a ridge east of St-Emilion. Soils of clay, gravel and limestone.

Viticulture: Minimum vine density of 5,000 vines per hectare from 2010 onwards.

Wine style: ‘Full, firm, the lushness of St-Emilion without the high prices, though they are no longer cheap,’ (Oz Clarke: 2015, p.74).

Wine production: 2002 3,067ha produced 132,250hl (Guide Hachette des Vins 2004, p.305).

Wineries

Certified Biodynamic: Château des Rochers. | Clos Puy Arnaud. | Vieux Château Champ de Mars.

Certified organic: Château Beynat. | Château La Croix Peyreyre. | Château La Rose de Palénne. | Château Moulin de Peyronin. | Château Moulin de St Magne. | Château Peyrou. | Vignobles Cheminade.