The 2005 Domaine de L'A is a superb effort from Stéphane and Christine Derenoncourt. Still wonderfully deep and fleshy, the 2005 will drink well for another decade. Inky dark fruit, lavender, spice, leather and licorice as this sumptuous Côtes de Castillon shows off its many charms. The 2005 is just gorgeous. April 2021

The home estate of Stéphane Derenoncourt has produced a major sleeper of the vintage in 2005. This dense plum/ruby/purple wine displays beautiful cassis, black cherry liqueur and earth in a full-bodied, opulent, multi-dimensional style. Deep, pure, rich and impressive, this is a beauty that can be drunk now or cellared for another 10-15 years. June 2015

Bright red-ruby. Sexy aromas of black raspberry, black cherry, mocha and minerals. Lush and sweet but fresh, with a gamey complexity to the dark berry and mineral flavors. Offers a lovely blend of ripeness and verve. Finishes with tannins that dust the incisors. Captivating wine. Superconsultant Stephane Derenoncourt recently purchased two more hectares of cabernet franc and merlot vines to add to his Cotes de Castillon property. La Fleur Saint-Georges.

Fully mature, finesse in style, the wine is smooth, elegant and lively, with a fresh, sweet, earthy, cherry profile. There is no reason to age this further. Tasted June 2015

The 2005 Domaine de l’A has a very different bouquet to the 2004: much more opulent and ravishing, almost glossy with saturated black cherry fruit, crème de cassis, bilberry jam and a smear of vanilla. The palate is sweet and candied on the entry with flashy blueberry and blackberry fruit, quite spicy on the back palate with a sweet candied, not cloying finish. It is still precocious given its age and a little ostentatious, yet undeniably pleasurable. jULY 2018