Hélène and I had the opportunity to visit Jérôme Caillé and his family at Château Robin a couple of times this year. While the 2013 vintage was certainly causing him fits, he graciously offered us samples of past vintages of his delicious Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux. The 2004 was showing particularly well, so we shared several bottles of it with Hélène’s guests during her fall 2013 Dordorgne tour. We were also enchanted by the 2010 vintage and are delighted to bring it to you now … in three different bottle sizes.

Château Robin

Yours truly and Jérôme Caillé

Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
Robert M. Parker, Jr. has this to say about the Côtes de Castillon (now renamed Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux) in the fourth edition of his book ‘Bordeaux’ – “Now the most fashionable of the satellite appellations (of Bordeaux), the Côtes de Castillon is a hotbed of activity as well as a fertile breeding ground for a bevy of overachievers. Located east of Puisseguin-St-Emilion approximately 25 miles from Bordeaux, the appellation is named after the commune called Castillon-La-Bataille, which commemorates the Battle of Castillon. This 1453 battle marked the conclusion of the Hundred Years’ War when the English Commander, Talbot, died during the defeat of his army. As one of the older wine making regions in the area, viticultural practices can be traced to Roman times. Appellation status was awarded in 1955 and there has been significantly more interest expressed in the wines as an alternative to the wines of St-Emilion.”

In fact, when he was here hosting some wine dinners, Jérôme had his guests compare Château Robin with a Grand Cru St-Emilion of the same vintage costing four times as much. The guests unanimously preferred the Château Robin!

The 2010 Vintage in Bordeaux – "...the fact that 2010 follows the superb 2009 vintage is remarkable...”

Here is what Robert Parker reported in the ‘Wine Advocate’:

“ it is an inescapable truth that 2010 has produced another year of compelling Bordeaux that will go down as a prodigious vintage alongside 2009.

Take your pick – this news is either tragic or mythical, but I have tasted enough wines from 2005, 2009 and 2010 to realize that these may be the three greatest Bordeaux vintages I have tasted in my career.

2010 exceeds 2009 in record setting alcohols... While massive and highly extracted, the 2010s are also fresh and incredibly pure. Moreover, they will enjoy astonishing longevity.

I do not think it would be fair or prudent to say that 2010 exceeds in overall quality what was produced in 2009, 2005 or perhaps even 2000. However, it is unquestionably another great vintage.

If 2009 stood out for the historic richness and potential of the Médocs and some Graves and Pomerols, 2010 seems relatively homogeneous throughout Bordeaux. The Cabernet Sauvignon has once again done exceptionally well, while there may be a handful of Merlot-based wines where the tannins are unusually rustic and excessive, by and large this is a great vintage in every appellation.”

The 2010 Château Robin comes in regular bottles, half-bottles (demis) and magnums. We will be taking your orders to the LCBO on lucky Friday, December 13th.

This lovely, elegant and round wine is made from 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were hand-picked, hand-sorted and destemmed and came from vines with an average age of over 40 years. The yield was 40.9 hectolitres per hectare. The juice went through a fairly complex aging process with a little over half aging in concrete tanks while 42% of the remainder spent a year in new oak barrels and the rest in one-year old oak barrels. The barrels were 90% French and the rest American.

Here is how some of the wine press describe the 2010 Château Robin:

• James Suckling – 89-90/100
Already delicious with notes of milk chocolate and wild strawberries, full and silky. This wine is already attractive. Even better than the 2009

• Wine Spectator – 88/100
A toasted, polished style, with friendly mocha and roasted vanilla notes allied seamlessly to creamy cassis, plum and blackberry fruit flavors. Offer a good, solid finish. Drink now through 2015.

• Decanter Magazine – 16/20
Refreshing and digestible medium-bodied wine with 40% Cabernet in the blend. Expressive, fruit driven nose. Succulent palate with a lively freshness. Well worked tannins. Drink 2013-2018.

This is excellent, ready-to-drink Bordeaux at a most reasonable price. Try some for yourself: in 750 ml bottles; 375 ml half-bottles, or; 1500 ml magnums.

Note: the above prices include a small handling fee.

Know any lovers of superb, very well priced Bordeaux? If so, we would greatly appreciate it if you would pass this bulletin on to them.

Many thanks and cheers,

Jim and Hélène
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
hbuisson@ofrance.ca
www.arthursellers.com