Castillon

Named after the town of Castillon-la-Bataille, the battle being that which brought an end to the hundred years war, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux is a dynamic, well-priced red wine appellation, part of the Côtes de bordeaux group, effectively an eastern extension of st-émilion in Bordeaux. With 1,850 ha/4,570 acres of vineyard in 2013 on mixed soils of clay, limestone, and some sandstone with silt, sand, and stones on the alluvial terrace above the River Dordogne, it is much bigger than its northern neighbour francs but produces similarly sturdy red wines based on Merlot grapes with generally better structure than regular red bordeaux aoc. Vineyards closest to the river tend to produce more supple wine than those at higher elevations such as Ch de Belcier, one of the more important producers. The region, whose land is still relatively affordable, has benefited from the application of expertise from grander right-bank appellations.