Côtes de Castillon (Stéphane Derenoncourt), Domaine de L’A

Stéphane’s precision, farming skills, dedication and quick learning took him to manage some of the most prestigious estates in Bordeaux. He is best known for producing wines at many superstar properties including Domaine de Chevalier, Clos Fourtet, Smith Haut Lafitte, Les Carmes Haut-Brion, and Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse etc. Stéphane is now one of Bordeaux’s top consultant oenologists, and of global renown.

Stephane and Christine started their own estate in 1999. Along the years, two additional purchases helped them to bring the domaine to its current 10 hectares size with 12 plots each having its personality. The majority of the vineyard is on a south-facing slope with deep fine clay, friable limestone and the “molasse” (sandstone) of the Fronsadais. Low yields are common at Domaine de l’A. The domaine is using biodynamic and organic farming, Stephane and his wife are convinced since the early days that it is the best was to reveal the terroir and let the place express in the glass.

This one of those estates where the quality massively outperforms the expected level of the appellation, thanks to some special terroir, and the genius of the winemaker.