Château Sainte Colombe 
Côtes de Castillon (Bordeaux)

The Estate
 The wine is produced by Vignobles Perse that also owns the famous Château Pavie in Saint Emilion.  The average annual production for Sainte Colombe is 16,500 cases.

The Vineyard
The vineyard measure 40 hectares total (98.80 acres) and the average age of the vines is 37 years old.  The Sainte Colombe plateau is the highest point in the Côtes de Castillon Appellation.
The vines enjoy good quality clay-limestone soil, optimum southern-facing sun exposure, excellent natural drainage due to its position on a slope, healthy water regime thanks to a limestone substrate, and early ripening thanks to white clay soil which retains warmth remarkably well.
Green harvesting, with an initial leaf thinning on the eastern side of the vines in late June and a second in mid-August on the western side.

The Wine



#F0EE172000MRM
UPC code: 7 84585 00100 2
2005 Château Sainte Colombe, Côtes de Castillon 12/750ml
Made from 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Alcoholic fermentation triggered by indigenous yeast in temperature controlled cement vats. The wine has stayed on the skins for 4 weeks. Malolactic fermentation in barrel.
Aged for 15 months in oak barrels with racking every 3 months.

"One of the least expensive wines from Gerard Perse’s three Cotes de Castillon estates, the 2005 Ste-Colombe is unquestionably the softest and most immediately accessible. Its dark ruby color is followed by a concoction of ripe, sweet black currant and cherry fruit, incense, spring flowers, and spice. Drink this richly fruity 2005 over the next 4-5 years.'
- Wine Advocate (April 2008), 88 pts

 National retail price: $24.95/ bottle