TERROIR PROFILE
Castillon & Francs Côtes de Bordeaux
Clay-limestone slopes in Saint-Émilion's shadow
The same limestone slopes as Saint-Émilion at a quarter of the price: Castillon and Francs are Bordeaux's best-kept Merlot secret.
Climate, site & wine
Limestone and clay, in places with marl, form the same soils as in the famous neighbour. Merlot dominates, with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon adding structure and spice; the limestone soils ensure freshness.
The wines are powerful and fruit-driven, with dark cherry, plum and spice, firm but mostly ripe tannin. The best sites yield blends with chalky freshness and ageing potential, overall more approachable and rustic than in Saint-Émilion.
TERROIR PROFILE · Bordeaux
Castillon & Francs Côtes de Bordeaux Clay-limestone slopes in Saint-Émilion's shadow
The same limestone slopes as Saint-Émilion at a quarter of the price: Castillon and Francs are Bordeaux's best-kept Merlot secret.
SOILS
Limestoneprecise, mineral
Limestone delivers tension, structure and a cooler, more mineral character.
Loambody-rich, velvety
Loamy soils give wines volume and a soft, velvety mouthfeel.
Marlbalanced, structured
Marl is a mix of limestone and clay — yields structured, balanced wines with acidity backbone.
CLIMATE · Maritime
Oceanic climate in the east of the Libournais, further from the Atlantic than Saint-Émilion. The Dordogne tempers extremes and the sloping sites are well ventilated.
TOPOGRAPHY · moderate
Limestone slopes and plateaus above the Dordogne between Castillon-la-Bataille and Francs, geologically the continuation of the Saint-Émilion plateau to the east. Castillon has the largest limestone plateau on the right bank; the height difference across the area exceeds 110 metres.
WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS
Similar terroirs worldwide
Computed from fingerprint similarity
Stromberg-Zabergäu
Württemberg
100% similar
- Castillon & Francs Côtes de Bordeaux and Stromberg-Zabergäu share a strikingly similar fingerprint — the differences lie in soil and grape varieties.
Listrac-Médoc & Moulis-en-Médoc
Bordeaux
100% similar
- Castillon & Francs Côtes de Bordeaux and Listrac-Médoc & Moulis-en-Médoc share a strikingly similar fingerprint — the differences lie in soil and grape varieties.
Wineries on this terroir
See all 19 →This terroir's soils in the glossary