Château d'Aiguilhe
Château d'Aiguilhe
#PROPERTY: History & Terroir
The history of Château d'Aiguilhe
Château d'Aiguilhe has a rich and varied history dating back to the 13th century. Indeed, this Castillon land has played many roles, and has been much more than a simple farm. The vineyard, owned by the Leberthon family for many years, was first abandoned during the French Revolution, and then occupied a strategic position on the border between the French and English zones during the Hundred Years' War, playing an important and active military role. Its complex history later links it to the Von Neipperg family. Descended from Prussian diplomats as early as the 12th century and winegrowers from the 13th century, the Von Neipperg family left their mark thanks to their considerable influence.
However, it wasn't until the 1970s that this renowned family crossed the border to cultivate vines in the Bordeaux region. Acquired by Stephan von Neipperg at the end of 1998, he ensured that 90 hectares of the 140-hectare Château d'Aiguilhe were dedicated to vine cultivation.
By adopting biodynamic viticultural practices, this vineyard, made up of clay-limestone and clay-silt soils, offers an environment conducive to the production of excellent wines.
Today run by the Von Neipperg family, this wine estate combines history and modernity. It embodies a rich and eventful past, from its role as the center of a seigniory during the Middle Ages to its strategic involvement during the Hundred Years' War. This long and fascinating history has contributed to Château d'Aiguilhe's reputation as one of the undisputed jewels of the Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux appellation.
The Comtes von Neipperg vineyard
The vineyards of the Comtes von Neipperg represent excellence and tradition in the production of quality wines. The Comtes von Neipperg own and manage several prestigious estates in the Bordeaux region, including Château Canon-La-Gaffelière, La Mondottechâteau d'Aiguilhe, Clos de l'Oratoire, Château Peyreau and others. Each estate in this vast territory is carefully crafted to produce wines renowned for their elegance, complexity and ability to reflect the region's exceptional terroir.
The vineyards of the Counts von Neipperg, whose history dates back to the 13th century, are often cultivated using environmentally-friendly practices, or even biodynamics, enhancing the natural richness of the soil and promoting sustainable farming methods to guarantee the long-term quality of the wines produced.
Today, malolactic fermentation and ageing take place in half new barrels, prolonging the ageing process on fine lees. The soils, composed of clay-limestone and clay-silt, rest on a limestone substratum, forming a thin layer of relatively poor soil that ensures remarkable water regulation for the vines.
The Terroir of Château d'Aiguilhe
The terroir of Château d'Aiguilhe is also exceptional. The relatively poor soils resting on a limestone substratum play a decisive role in the life of the vines. They help to regulate water in a balanced way, giving the grapes exceptional quality. This combination of natural factors, such as exposure to the sun, efficient drainage and soils adapted by their clay-limestone structure, shapes the vines and contributes significantly to the quality and richness of the grapes grown on the Château d'Aiguilhe estate.
Château d'Aiguilhe wine grape varieties
The Château d'Aiguilhe estate, whose current château, which is actually a fortified farm, dates back to the 13th century, covers a vast area of 140 hectares, more than half of which is devoted to viticulture. Every choice regarding the location and orientation of the vines is meticulously studied. With a predominance of Merlot (80%) and Cabernet Franc (20%), the distribution of grape varieties is deliberate and well thought-out. These vines are meticulously planted on the highest plateau and slopes, benefiting from maximum sun exposure and optimal natural drainage. This specific configuration allows the grapes to flourish in ideal conditions.
Production of Château d'Aiguilhe vines
Production from Château d'Aiguilhe vines is remarkable in many ways. With an average vine age of 28 years, this vineyard grows grapes of a maturity that contributes to the exceptional quality of its wines. Each year, Château d'Aiguilhe produces around 450,000 bottles, offering wine lovers a significant quantity of this carefully crafted nectar, reflecting the passion and expertise deployed in every stage of production.
#VINS DU DOMAINE : Appellations and Cuvées
Côtes-de-Castillon appellation: Château d'Aiguilhe
The Côtes-de-Castillon appellation is a renowned wine-growing region in the Bordeaux area of France. One of the vineyards on the right bank of the Dordogne, it is renowned for the quality of its red wines.
The wines produced in the Côtes-de-Castillon region are renowned for their generous character, elegant structure and ability to age well in the bottle. The appellation has gained recognition in recent years thanks to the growing quality of its vintages, attracting the interest of connoisseurs and wine lovers the world over.
Discover our selection of Côtes-de-Castillon wines
Château d'Aiguilhe wines
Château d'Aiguilhe deploys its expertise in the production of several distinctive wines, each bringing its own personality and quality from carefully selected grape varieties.
Château d'Aiguilhe
Seigneurs d'Aiguilhe
Blanc d'Aiguilhe
Château d'Aiguilhe is the flagship of the range, a true showcase of the estate's excellence. This wine is made with the finest grapes from the vineyard, highlighting the richness of the terroir and the viticultural expertise acquired over the years. Mainly composed of the region's emblematic grape varieties, such as Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this wine embodies the most refined expression of Château d'Aiguilhe. It is distinguished by its complexity, elegant structure and ability to age beautifully in bottle, offering an exceptional sensory experience.
Les Seigneurs d'Aiguilhe is the second wine from Château d'Aiguilhe. This wine is more fruity and gourmet, representing a more accessible interpretation of the estate's savoir-faire. It nevertheless retains remarkable quality, offering a pleasant and seductive taste experience.
Blanc d'Aiguilhe is the château's latest cuvée, added in 2015 and made exclusively from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. This white cuvée reveals all the freshness and elegance of this grape variety, offering subtle aromas and a distinctive vivacity that enrich the diversity of Château d'Aiguilhe wines.
The best vintages of Château d'Aiguilhe 2005, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2022
Depending on the vintage, if necessary, fining and filtration precede bottling, after 15 to 18 months.
Château d'Aiguilhe red 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
Blanc d'Aiguilhe, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
What is the purchase price of Château d'Aiguilhe?
The online purchase price of Château d'Aiguilhe can fluctuate according to various criteria, including vintage and other characteristics specific to each wine. If you'd like to discover and buy Château d'Aiguilhe or other wines from the Côtes-de-Castillon appellation online, our site offers a carefully curated selection of these products.
#IN BRIEF : Figures
Region: Bordeaux
Appellation : Côtes-de-Castillon
Surface area : 140 Hectares (Red: 85 Ha, White: 5 Ha)
Red grape varieties : Merlot (80%), Cabernet franc (20%)
White grape varieties : Sauvignon blanc (100%)
Vine culture : Organic