Wines Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux Château Terrasson - Cuvée Prèvenche - 2016

Château Terrasson 2016 "Cuvée Prèvenche" from the Castillon-Côtes-de-Bordeaux appellation offers an elegant expression of right bank Bordeaux tradition. This red blend typically features Merlot as its backbone, often complemented by smaller percentages of Cabernet Franc and sometimes Cabernet Sauvignon. 2016 was an exceptional year in Bordeaux, producing wines of great depth and balance thanks to a long, warm summer and optimal harvest conditions. The vineyard's clay-limestone soils are ideal for Merlot, nurturing richly textured grapes with ample fruit and fine tannins. Vinification at estates like Château Terrasson generally follows traditional Bordeaux methods, with temperature-controlled fermentation and careful extraction, followed by aging in oak barrels to add subtle complexity and structure.

The Castillon-Côtes-de-Bordeaux area lies just east of Saint-Émilion and shares similar terroirs: rolling hills dominated by clay and limestone, with an ideal microclimate. This region benefits from both Atlantic influences and a slightly more continental climate, giving the grapes excellent ripening conditions. Historically, Castillon was overshadowed by its prestigious neighbors but has rapidly gained a reputation for overdelivering on quality, especially in favorable years like 2016.

In terms of food pairing, the approachable structure and generous fruit of Château Terrasson 2016 makes it very versatile. Classic Bordeaux pairings such as roast lamb with garlic and herbs, duck breast with red wine sauce, or beef ribeye with wild mushrooms will enhance the wine's depth and bring out its subtle earthy notes. Regional dishes like entrecôte à la bordelaise or confit de canard will also shine alongside this cuvée, as will aged cheeses like Comté or Tomme de Savoie.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine at 16-18°C. Decanting for an hour before serving will help open up its aromatic complexity and mellow the tannins, especially given its youth and concentration. This 2016 Castillon-Côtes-de-Bordeaux can be enjoyed now for its vibrant fruit and rounded texture, but it will also reward careful cellaring for another five to eight years.