2019 Château de Clotte, Cotes de Castillon

‘A best-seller bound to sell out’ is how we routinely describe the 2019 Château de Clotte (Côtes de Castillon). Because being the ripe, rounded, supple, luxurious, Saint-Emilion-styled claret that it is.

But now that it’s back in stock, you can taste for yourself why it doesn’t. A sumptuous blend of 50% cabernet franc, 40% merlot and 10% malbec, with lovely rich berry fruit flavours, a hint of spice, tobacco and vanilla and five years of mellow maturity behind it,  it’s where classic, Right Bank expression meets supreme value for money.

Because here is classic expression of what we consider to be the most underrated appellation in all Bordeaux – Côtes de Castillon. Situated on a ridge to the east of the Saint-Émilion plateau, it enjoys a near identical terroir to its more illustrious neighbour yet offers similarly styled cuvées for considerably less. And when that cuvée is from the one of the most esteemed estates in the region, it makes grabbing a case or two of Château de Clotte’s 2019 all the easier.

And easier on the pocket. De Clotte is back – grab yours before it’s gone.