James Suckling 92Points
This is very precise with dark-berry, sandalwood and light chocolate character. Just a hint of sweet fruit and wet earth. Medium body, firm tannins and a pretty finish. Drinkable, but better in 2021.
Wine Spectator 92Points
Juicy loganberry and black currant fruit forms an inviting core, while light bay, tobacco and violet notes fill in around the fruit. Offers a fleshy edge but keeps an emphasis on cut and drive through the finish.
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 92Points
The 2016 Chateau d'Aiguilhe is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc picked from 30 September until 18 October, matured in 30% new oak. It has a warm and sensual bouquet: small macerated black cherries, blueberry and sloes, a light floral tincture emerging with time. This has a little more strictness compared to the 2015 last year. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and good body. Sappy black fruit, a touch of spice towards the finish, and you have yourself a very fine Côtes de Castillon.
Jen Dunnuck 92Points
The 2016 Château d'Aiguilhe checks in as 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc brought up in 30% new barrels before being bottled with no fining. As with the white, it has brilliant limestone character as well as vibrant strawberry and black raspberry fruits, hints of violets and flowers, background oak, and medium to full-bodied richness. It’s a balanced, high-quality 2016 well worth seeking out. Drink it over the coming 15 years or so.
Decanter 91Points
This takes its time to open in the glass, slowly revealing its flavours one at a time, starting with tight, dark-fleshed brambly fruits and chocolate. Polished, glossy and vibrant. Drinking Window 2023 - 2038
Winemaker Notes
This full-bodied Bordeaux red is created from a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. The deep colour offers ripe, lush, sweet, dark red fruits, silky textures with a blast of licorice, dark cocoa and black cherries in the finish. Notes of black cherry liqueur, espresso, chocolate and blackberry.
This Chateau d'Aiguilhe red is best paired with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes. Chateau d’Aiguilhe is also good when matched with Asian dishes, rich fish courses like tuna, mushrooms and pasta.
