A supple, finely balanced Left Bank Bordeaux from an exceptional vintage, delivering generous blackcurrant fruit, savoury cedar spice, and approachable, food-friendly tannins.

Tasting Notes & Food Pairing

The 2016 vintage across Bordeaux produced wines with remarkable balance, and this Château Citran shows exactly why that year earned such praise. In the glass, it pours a deep ruby colour with purple glints. The nose opens with clean, classic Left Bank aromas of ripe blackberries, blackcurrants, and a touch of dark plum, followed by subtle notes of pencil shavings, tobacco leaf, and warm cedar from the French oak.

On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, satisfyingly smooth, and delightfully fresh. The fruit has plenty of depth without ever feeling heavy or jammy. Fine-grained tannins provide just enough grip and structure, leading into a dry, savoury finish with lingering hints of spice and graphite. It is drinking beautifully right now, with enough backbone to keep developing comfortably over the next few years.

Pair it alongside a traditional Sunday roast topside of beef with all the trimmings, grilled lamb chops rubbed with rosemary and garlic, or a hearty venison casserole. If you are serving cheese at the end of the meal, a wedge of mature Scottish cheddar or an aged Comté will make an ideal partner.

About the Producer

Château Citran is one of the oldest aristocratic estates in the entire Médoc, with a lineage that stretches back to the 13th century when the Donnissan family ruled the seigneurial lands. For centuries, the estate remained in the hands of the same noble line before entering a series of new ownerships through the 20th century, including a notable Japanese investment group who invested heavily into modernising the cellars.

Since 1996, the estate has been under the dependable stewardship of the Merlaut family (Groupe Taillan), whose portfolio includes legendary neighbouring names like Château Chasse-Spleen and Gruaud Larose. The Merlauts brought calm, steady investment and a renewed focus on classic Médoc typicity. Citran has consistently stood out as a reliable benchmark for Cru Bourgeois quality, offering Bordeaux lovers the character and poise of far pricier classed growths at an honest, sensible price point.

Vineyard & Winery

The Citran estate covers roughly 100 hectares of vines tucked just inland from Margaux in the commune of Avensan. The vineyard benefits from classic Left Bank geology: fine gravel and sand resting over a bedrock of clay and limestone. This dual terroir allows Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen steadily on the warm gravel parcels while the Merlot draws suppleness and moisture from the cooler clay sections.

Farming practices are carried out with an emphasis on parcel-by-parcel management, green harvesting when required, and careful leaf thinning to encourage even sun exposure and healthy grapes.

In the winery, harvested fruit is sorted thoroughly before gentle de-stemming and crushing. Fermentation takes place in temperature-regulated stainless steel and concrete vats to preserve the crisp, vibrant berry flavours. The wine is then aged for approximately 12 to 14 months in French oak barriques (with around one-third new oak each year), lending subtle polish, gentle spice, and structural refinement without overpowering the natural fruit.