2016 Vintage — Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux AOC, France

Clos Lunelles is one of the rising stars of Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, the satellite appellation that picks up immediately east of Saint-Émilion. The estate was acquired in 2001 by Gérard and Chantal Perse — the same proprietors as the Premier Grand Cru Classé ‘A’ Château Pavie — who applied the same Saint-Émilion principles of meticulous viticulture, low yields and concentrated extraction to this previously overlooked terroir.

The blend is 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, planted on a clay-limestone plateau directly contiguous with the eastern slopes of Saint-Émilion. Hand-harvested with rigorous parcel and berry selection, fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel followed by ageing in French oak barriques (a significant proportion new) for around 18 months. 2016 was an outstanding Bordeaux vintage — long, warm summer, late-season rain at the right moment, producing structured wines with ripe tannins, freshness and excellent ageing potential. With nearly a decade in bottle, the wine is fully resolved and entering its prime drinking window.