Bordeaux 2007 - Côtes de Castillon & Côtes de Francs

by James Lawther MW.

As in the rest of Bordeaux the indifferent summer and permanent pressure from mildew meant an ongoing battle for ripeness in 2007. The satellites generally have later ripening terroirs so the harvest date was primordial (some picking up to the end of October). Quality is uneven with wines with a vegetal streak, others fruity and round (if a little light) and some dry and astringent where the extraction has been severe. It was a vintage to aim for the fruit with the overall style being good colour and supple fruit (acidity and alcohol are lower and pH higher in 2007) for early drinking.