Domaine de l'A | Côtes de Castillon
In 1999, world-renowned wine consultant and vigneron Stéphane Derenoncourt, together with his wife Christine, purchased 2.5 hectares of prime viticultural land in the commune of Sainte-Colombe, Côtes de Castillon. Today, Domaine de l'A now consists of 11 hectares, divided among various parcels, the majority of which are on a south-facing slope with 'tuffeau' limestone soil (to which Stéphane attributes his wine's floral aroma). The average age of the Merlot (70%) and Cabernet Franc (30%) vines is 55 years old. The domaine is organic but, for the time being, uncertified. Yields are tiny: 28 hectolitres/hectare in a generous vintage. Owing to its scale, undulating vineyards and the ethereal character of its wines, the domaine has a distinctly Burgundian vibe.