Nose

A rounded character and subtle aromatic expression of red fruits, blackberries and vanilla notes, Château Côtes de Blaignan is an appealing wine.

Palate

Smooth and fruity, the attack makes way on the palate for more powerful, welcoming volume, with elegant, rounded tannins.

Growing Conditions

A wide diversity of soils representative of the finest terroirs in the Médoc, predominantly gravel and clay-limestone.

Double guyot. Secondary shoot removal by hand in the spring to retain only the healthiest shoots. Manual leaf-plucking in summer to allow the grapes maximum exposure to the sun. The canopy is trimmed back several times to facilitate greater light absorption.

Harvest

By machine, carefully selected and sorted.

Winemaking

• 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, planted predominantly on gravel, imparting structure and colour.
• 45% Merlot on clay-limestone, developing the fruity and supple character of the wine.
• 4% Cabernet Franc for finesse and verve.
• 1% Petit Verdot for power and length on the palate.

Stainless-steel and cement tanks, equipped with temperature-control. Fermentation at a steady 28°C for 8-10 days to retain the character of the fruit. Pumping over several times to boost the tannins, colour and aromatics. Long 4-5 week maceration.

Aging

18 months, of which 12 months in oak barriques (third renewed each year).

Appearance

Garnet in colour.