The thin layer of clay-limestone and clay-silt topsoil covers a layer of rather meagre soil on a limestone substratum. This terroir provides wonderful hydric regulation all year round and, combined with vines an average of 28 years old, produces outstanding grapes.
The minerals in the clay-limestone soil account for a wine of both power and finesse in which the roundness of Merlot (80%) marries beautifully with the concentration and complexity of Cabernet Franc (20%). Although Château d'Aiguilhe has good ageing potential, it is nevertheless enjoyable 5 or 6 years after the vintage if decanted beforehand.
http://www.neipperg.com/index.php?act=1,12,1,,,,,en
Het Château d'Aiguilhe, eigendom van Stephan Von Neipperg, is gelegen op de hoogste heuvel langs de rechteroever van de Dordogne. De wijngaarden liggen op de grens van de Côtes de Castillon en Saint-Emilion. De mooie mineraliteit van de klei en kalksteen bodem biedt de wijn zowel kracht als finesse. .Aroma’s van zoethout, rijp fruit en verse eik. Volle, sappige en krachtige smaak met dezelfde aroma’s als in de neus.
2010 d'Aiguilhe, Côtes de Castillon
92-93 points James Suckling
This is so good already. What an amazing precision of fruit for this wine, with a blackberry and blueberry character as well as minerals. Full and super silky with lovely fruit. Gourmand. Tasty. I want to drink it. Always great value! (4/2011)
89-92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
One of the best-run estates in the underrated and undervalued appellation of Cotes de Castillon is Chateau d’Aiguilhe, which is owned by Stephan von Neipperg. As with all of von Neipperg’s wines, Stephane Derenoncourt is the consulting winemaker. The blend is usually 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, although I did not see the statistics on this particular vintage. The 2010 (10,000 cases produced) achieved 14% natural alcohol from modest yields of 34 hectoliters per hectare. It exhibits a deep ruby/purple hue, lots of cassis, crushed rock and floral characteristics, a round, generous, savory, broadly textured style and sweet tannins. Drink it over the next decade. (5/2011)
89-92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Fully saturated inky-ruby. Somewhat oak-dominated on the nose presently, with aromas of red cherry, rose petal, graphite and brown spices. Rich and lush but less obviously fruit-driven than usual in this vintage, combining sweeter mocha and earth tones with ripe delicate dark fruit flavors. The slightly granular, mounting tannins will need several years of bottle aging, but there's enough depth of fleshy fruit here to reassure me. (6/2011)
92 points Wine Spectator
Very lush and expressive, with caressing plum sauce, mulled blueberry and blackberry fruit and melted licorice and warm fruitcake flavors, all gliding together through the finish. Offers lovely range and a seductive mouthfeel. Drink now through 2019. (3/2013)
Ik heb in 2009 en 2010 'en primeurs' gekocht maar omdat de prijzen redelijk hoog waren heb ik met wisselend succes naar alternatieven gezocht zo ben ik op deze D'Aighuile 2010 gekomen waarvan ik nu mijn eerste flesje geopend heb.
Donkerrode volle wijn met een mooie neus en lekkere smaak, moeilijk om af te blijven ... nog iets te jong maar ik ga er dit jaar zeker nog eentje van openen. 91+p
Grts[/b]
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sinds deze zeer traumatische ervaring laat ik om het even welke schrale fles toch nog een nachtje open staan