L'AURAGE Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux 2016

94 points Jeb Dunnuck

Even better, the 2016 Domaine de L'Aurage shows slightly better oak integration than the 2015 as well as a more classic feel in its medium to full body, seamless texture, loads of blue fruits, and complex notes of toasted bread, graphite, and spice. It’s another awesome wine from the Mitjavile family that’s going to benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for 15-20 years.(2/2019)

90-92 points Vinous

Once again, I was impressed with Louis Mitjavile's Domaine de L'Aurage. Dark, supple and expressive, the 2016 has a lot to offer. Succulent red cherry, red plum, rose petal, mint and sweet spice are all pushed forward, with soft contours that give the wine much of its engaging and welcoming personality. (AG)(4/2017)

89-91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2016 Domaine de l'Aurage, a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, offers plenty of red cherry and strawberry fruit on the nose, with the oak nicely integrated. It is actually quite Burgundy-like in style. The palate is well balanced with fine tannins, plenty of confit-like fruit with a gentle grip on the finish. Enjoy this lovely Côtes de Castillon from the Mitjavile family over the next 5-7 years. (NM)(4/2017)

Jancis Robinson

Dark crimson. Dark and charry on the nose with spice and vanilla but the sweet cassis fruit still shines and they are totally entangled, and even a touch floral, and a very strong oak charry toast on the palate. Plenty of spice but you can see the dark fruit. Clearly embryonic but you can see the depth and potential. (JH) 17/20 points(11/2017)

Specialized in Merlot, the Mitjavile family has established itself as a master on the right bank of the Bordeaux vineyard and today best embodies the noble peasant values of French viticulture. Since the mid-1980s, the Mitjaviles have revolutionized the image of the great Saint-Emilions. François Mitjavile already had a glorious past since he worked as a winemaker with Thierry Manoncourt of Chateau Figeac.

It was in 2007, after years of consulting on different properties around the world, that Caroline and Louis Mitjawile decided to acquire their property. After many unsuccessful visits, they fell in love with "Chateau Cadet", which they renamed L'Aurage in 2009. Their desire was to find a vineyard on the right bank, but without being in Saint Emilion, where the Mitjavile family is already established, with notably Chateau Tertre Roteboeuf, the property of François and Emilie Mitjavile, Louis' parents. L'Aurage, a Côtes de Castillon, hilly, wild, in the extension of the slopes of Saint Emilion, on the clay-limestone line, the estate consists of 22 hectares in one piece. The clay-limestone soils, regulate the hydrous contributions of the vine, avoid the stress of the plant, the vegetative cycle is longer, which makes it possible to obtain generally richer, dense and balanced wines.