A military fortress in the 14th century, Château Castéra has undergone many changes and had numerous owners. It currently belongs to the German group Deugros. Under the management of the new owner, major renovation work has been carried out and a new sales policy has been introduced. The château and winery have been completely refurbished. A stock of more than 900 barrels renewed by a third each year and an ultra-modern vat room, combined with traditional techniques has helped to steadily improve quality.

Château Castera is a cru bourgeois located in the commune of Saint-Germain d’Estreuil in the Médoc. The vines grow in a chalk-clay terroir rich in gravel. A rarity for the appellation, this wine contains mainly Merlot (65%), with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This idea came from Eric Boissenot, the château’s oenologist, who realised that the terroir would be propitious for growing Merlot. The maceration and fermentation lasts 18 to 22 days depending on the vintage and the maturation takes 12 months in French oak barrels (40% new wood). The wine is then kept in the bottle for 24 months before being sold. In its youth, this cuvée has a crimson colour that evolves towards a tile-red hue. On the nose there is an explosion of dark fruits like prune and cherry, and we rediscover these on the palate along with a hint of vanilla. The tannins are mellow, balancing well with the wine’s acidity and alcohol. For food pairings, we would recommend any red meat dish. As for ageing, you can count on 5 or 10 years, and think about decanting it half an hour before serving.