WIth dinner of braised short ribs I opened a bottle of 1999 Chateau D' Aiguilhe from the Cotes de Castillon. This primarily a merlot from the right bank. Still dark purple in the glass. A bit of toasted oak on the nose with blackberry and backcherry aromas. Plenty of black fruits up front and a bit of herbal bitterness but not offputting. Slightly drying tannins on the finish with a lingering smoke on the finish. The wine is still slightly tannic and could use a few more years without harm. "B"