Poupille Atypique - Cotes de Castillon

Château Poupille's Atypique takes its name from a deliberate rejection of Bordeaux convention. Situated on the clay-limestone plateau of Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux—the Right Bank appellation east of Saint-Émilion—the vineyard occupies mid-slope terrain where clay dominates the upper layers, with limestone bedrock providing mineral tension.

The blend centers on Merlot with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in temperature-controlled concrete and stainless steel to preserve primary aromatics. The wine spends 12 months in French oak (30% new, 70% neutral), deliberately avoiding the over-extraction that defines many Castillon peers. No fining or filtration before bottling preserves textural complexity.

The transgression: Poupille refuses the polished, fruit-forward profile expected of the appellation, instead favoring structural clarity and mineral definition. This is Castillon that tastes like its soil rather than its market positioning.

Drink 2024–2032.