"Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Citran charges out of the glass with bold scents of crushed redcurrants, black raspberries and cassis, plus wafts of dried Provence herbs and damp soil. The medium-bodied palate delivers lovely freshness with a chewy texture supporting the red berry and savory flavors, finishing with an herbal lift. Drink 2024-2035."
86-88 The Wine Advocate.
The Donissan de Citran family ruled this estate in the 13th century until 1832, when the last heir had to sell the estate to Mr. Clauzel. This rich, ambitious businessman defined the property’s boundaries and gave Château Citran to prominence among the Medoc estates.
The Miailhe family bought the property in 1945 and undertook a renovation programme until 1987. Then, a Japanese group acquired the property and made major investments. This marks the resurrection of this great growth of Médoc !
In 1996, the Merlaut family, a major actor of the Bordeaux wine industry, took over Citran. They kept on increasing the quality of growth and developed its renown while respecting its history. Highly lauded, the Château is designated a historical monument heritage in 2012.
The vineyard, more than 100ha wide, comprises two large parcels : one around the Château, and the other, a little further up, surrounds the village. Each plot benefits from a specific treatment appropriate for its environment. Some are grown the traditional way: the soil is worked on mechanically and the phytosanitary treatments are standard. Others are covered with sowed vegetation every to spaces between rows, so as to improve the soil's layout. Eventually, one third of the vineyard is organically grown.
When harvesting is done, grapes are carried into the winery to receive several cares : grape selection, stemming and berry crushing to obtain the grape juice that will be vinified to become wine! The extraction of this potential will produce a rich, fruity, structured and well-balanced wine, a new vintage of Château Citran.
Tasting, selection and blending are key words. Throughout several stages of transformation, punctuated by regular and scrupulous tastings in company with Mr. Eric Boissenot, the great wine profile of Château Citran is defined. The final blending results from the greatest plots and the symbiosis of three grape varieties : merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc.
Ageing lasts 15 months. Barrels are rigorously selected and a third are renewed every year. Produced by the greatest barrel makers, these are made of oak-tree. Oak essence brings structure, balance and delicacy to the wine. The wine is bottled at the Château.