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We’re bringing back Jérôme Caillé’s 2010 Château Robin, AOC Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux. Why? Because it is so darned good! We have recently sampled some of his last shipment of this superb wine from Château Robin and found it to be simply outstanding. But, don’t take our word for it. Take a look at what ‘Wine Pair’ said about it in their recent article ‘The French Wines to Drink Before You Die’. And, if that’s not enough, Playboy magazine recently made it their ‘Wine of the Week’. This is a real treat for lovers of Merlot-based, high quality Bordeaux; not to be missed.
Château Robin
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Yours truly and Jérôme Caillé
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Château Robin is a very old estate that was mentioned in the third edition of Guide Féret in 1874. Purchased by Jérôme’s parents, Laurence and Jean Caillé in 2003, the property has twelve and a half hectares under production in Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux appellation, right beside St-Emilion and Pomerol in the fabled Bordeaux region of France. Jérôme’s easy-drinking, delicious wines have been awarded countless gold medals and have received numerous glowing wine press citations.
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.”
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