Chateau Citran Haut Medoc Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Citran, Haut Medoc with wine tasting notes, and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, the history of the property, and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Citran History, Overview

Chateau Citran is one of the older Bordeaux properties in the Medoc with a history that goes all the way back to the 13th century. At the time, like most of the properties built in those days, its primary purpose was as a fortress. The property remained in the hands of its original owners until 1832!

The modern era for Chateau Citran begins with the purchase of the estate by the Miailhe family in 1945. The Miailhe family have been owners of several different vineyards in the Left Bank over the years including Chateau Palmer, Chateau Pichon Lalande, and Chateau Coufran. It was under the ownership of the Miailhe family that the vineyard was planted to its high percentage of Merlot.

The Miailhe family are not only successful vineyard owners in Bordeaux, but they are also one of the larger negociants in the Bordeaux region. The Miailhe family sold Chateau Citran in 1987 to the Japanese holding company, Fujimoto.

Today, Chateau Citran is owned by two well-established families from Bordeaux, the Merlaut family, who heads the Taillan group, which counts Chateau Gruaud Larose in St. Julien, Chateau Ferrier in Margaux, Chateau Chasse Spleen, Chateau Camensac, Chateau Gressier, Grand Poujeaux in the Haut Medoc and Chateau Broustet, which is in Sauternes. They also own a massive negociant company, which they count as part of their holdings.

Chateau Citran Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

Chateau Citran is a large, Left Bank estate, with 105 hectares of vines with a terroir of sand, gravel, chalk, and clay soils. Located in the far south of the Haut Medoc appellation, the vineyard is planted to 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7.5% Cabernet Franc and 2.5% Petit Verdot.

On average, the vines are 25 years of age. The vineyard is planted to a vine density of 6,600 vines per hectare. The massive estate can be divided into two large blocks of vines. Much of the better part of the vineyard is placed closest to the chateau, which is where you find their deeper, gravel soils.

The remainder of their parcels is in more of a sandy terroir in the commune of Avensan. A portion of the Chateau Citran vineyards is also located not far from the Margaux estate of Chateau Ferriere.

The goal of Chateau Citran is to eventually increase the portion of Cabernet Sauvignon in the vineyards, with new plantings that will take the place of some of the estate’s forested areas. A portion of the vineyard is farmed organically.

The best vintages of Chateau Citran are: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2010 and 2009 and 2005.

To produce the wine of Chateau Citran, vinification takes place in large, temperature-controlled, stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tanks. The wine is aged in 40% new, French oak for between 12 and 14 months. On average, 25,000 cases of Chateau Citran are produced each year. There is a second wine, Les Moulins de Citran.

When to Drink Chateau Citran, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Citran needs some time before it can be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1 hour or so. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau Citran is usually better with at least 6-9 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau Citran offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 6-14 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Citran with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Citran is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The wine of Chateau Citran is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Chateau Citran is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese.

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