2020 Pitray Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, Château de Pitray

• Style: Ripe, savory Right Bank blend
• Taste: Black plum, dried fig, spice, velvety tannins
• Food: Roast beef, game, aged cheese, charcuterie
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night, weeknight dinner
• Serve: 16–18°C, decant 20 mins, enjoy over 4 hours

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Plush and direct, this wine opens with ripe black-plum generosity typical of merlot-heavy blends grown on clay-limestone soil. Dried fig and spice emerge alongside the fruit, underpinned by velvety tannins that feel sculpted rather than overdone. At 14.5% ABV with crisp acidity, it sits at a comfortable drinking weight—neither heavy nor thin. This is drinking wine in the best sense, built to please from the first glass.

The Winery — Château de Pitray

The world's oldest family-owned Bordeaux estate, stewarded by the Simard de Pitray line for over 600 years, now in its 25th generation under Jean. Though classified as Côtes de Castillon, the Château sits just 8km east of Saint-Émilion on the same clay-limestone plateau that defines the region's character. In 2020, consultant winemaker Nina Mitjavile—whose own family estates are benchmarks for Right Bank depth—reshaped the property's philosophy: drastically lower yields, measured oak use, and a commitment to pure fruit expression. The 2020 vintage spent 12 months in stainless steel with a third aged in new oak barriques, a split that preserves the wine's character while building the structure needed for the table. Sustainably farmed, herbicide-free, and suitable for vegetarian and vegan tables.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

The 90% merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc backbone makes this a natural partner for roasted beef, braised duck, game and venison, or aged hard cheeses—the wine's tannic grip and black-fruit core match foods that want equal grip in return. It's equally at home with simpler fare: good charcuterie, a mushroom confit, even creamed chicken will find something to hold onto. Serve at 16–18°C; a brief decant of 20 minutes opens the wine beautifully. This is one of the finest expressions of merlot in this corner of Bordeaux, where clay and limestone create the conditions for ripe yet balanced harvests even in the challenging 2020 vintage. Whether you're planning a Sunday lunch or a date night, this wine delivers the depth and food-friendliness that make the table feel special. Explore our broader France offerings to discover more from this historic region.