The Côtes de Bordeaux appellation was created in 2009, after being mooted in late 2003. It brought together several zones (Côtes) of Bordeaux under a single banner. These were Blaye, Cadillac, Castillon and Francs.

The idea was to improve the marketability of the wines in question and simplify the overall Bordelais appellation structure. Individually, these appellations did not have enough marketing resources to combat the rising popularity of Bordeaux-style wines from emerging wine regions, particularly in the New World.

【James Suckling 91-92pts】

A gorgeous wine with blueberry and cassis. Full-bodied with chewyyet polished tannins. Beautiful. This is really impressive. Almost as good as 2009.

【Robert Parker 91+ pts】

This 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignonblend from the limestone soils of Castillon is owned by Gerard and ChantalPerse, who also own such properties as Pavie, Pavie-Decesse, Monbousquet andBellevue-Mondotte. Usually the reference point for Castillon, the 2011 ClosLunelles boasts an inky/purple color along with a liquid chalk-like characterthat offers tremendous minerality, a boatload of tannin, and super richness aswell as extract. This full-bodied, backward, formidably endowed red clearlyover-performs. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it over the followingdecade. Amazingly long, rich and impressive, it is a major sleeper of thevintage.