In keeping with the comments regarding trying to find $50 quality for $15 I went to my cellar to find what I consider a $50 value for under $20. I found a contender right away in the 1999 Chateau D' Aiguilhe. This is a Stephan Von Neipperg (la Mondotte, Clos D' Oratoire) project in the Cotes de Castillon that's been getting some good press recently. I believe that the 1999 was the first year that Von Neipperg had involvement in the wine. The wine is deep reddish-purple, medium bodied in the glass. Nice nose of black fruits, blueberries and tobacco. Nice mouthfeel, the fruit is well balanced with a nice fresh acidity with flavors of coffee, currants touches of red raspberry and a bit of anise. Firm but smooth tannins finish it off. I bought a case of this wine at close out for $15/bottle yet it drinks like $50 or more. A- on the Dale scale.
- posted
17 years ago