Chateau Citran Haut Medoc Bordeaux, Complete Guide

Citran Chateau

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: 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.

www.citran.com

Château Citran Wine Tasting Notes

17 Vintages 73,870 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2021
88
Peppery red fruits, herbs cigar wrappers create the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, bright and citrusy, which gives it a lot of lift and crispness in the finish. Drink from 2024-2034.

Peppery red fruits, herbs cigar wrappers create the nose. The wine is medium-bodied, bright and citrusy, which gives it a lot of lift and crispness in the finish. Drink from 2024-2034.

124 Views   Tasted
Medium-bodied, fresh, bright, crisp, crunchy red berries with tobacco leaf nuances that can be enjoyed in its youth. Drink from 2023-2033. 85-87

Medium-bodied, fresh, bright, crisp, crunchy red berries with tobacco leaf nuances that can be enjoyed in its youth. Drink from 2023-2033. 85-87

1,014 Views   Tasted
2020
88
Bright, crisp, sweet and tart red fruits with a strong savory, herbal edge and a medium-bodied, dusty, menthol-packed finish are what you are going to find here. Drink from 2023-2034.

Bright, crisp, sweet and tart red fruits with a strong savory, herbal edge and a medium-bodied, dusty, menthol-packed finish are what you are going to find here. Drink from 2023-2034.

747 Views   Tasted
Floral, fresh and fruity with its bouquet of black raspberries, cherries, cocoa and herbs, the wine is medium-bodied, soft, round, fresh and lifted with a nice, vibrant, juicy, chewy and crisp finish. 87-89 Pts

Floral, fresh and fruity with its bouquet of black raspberries, cherries, cocoa and herbs, the wine is medium-bodied, soft, round, fresh and lifted with a nice, vibrant, juicy, chewy and crisp finish. 87-89 Pts

1,327 Views   Tasted
2019
90
The finest vintage of Citran I have ever tasted pops with chocolate covered cherries, flowers, raspberries and herbs. Medium bodied, soft, polished, fresh and fruity, the wine finishes with sweet, red fruits with a touch of kirsch and cocoa in the endnote. Drink from 2023-2034.

The finest vintage of Citran I have ever tasted pops with chocolate covered cherries, flowers, raspberries and herbs. Medium bodied, soft, polished, fresh and fruity, the wine finishes with sweet, red fruits with a touch of kirsch and cocoa in the endnote. Drink from 2023-2034.

977 Views   Tasted
2018
88
Medium-bodied, earthy, straightforward, direct, red currant, cedar, tobacco, and herb-filled, Cabernet Sauvignon dominated wine. The wine has filled out a bit since it was in barrel. Drink from 2022-2036.

Medium-bodied, earthy, straightforward, direct, red currant, cedar, tobacco, and herb-filled, Cabernet Sauvignon dominated wine. The wine has filled out a bit since it was in barrel. Drink from 2022-2036.

2,243 Views   Tasted
Tobacco and cherry fruit in the front end, and crisp bright, red fruit on the back end is what you will find here in this medium- bodied, lean wine. 85-87 Pts

Tobacco and cherry fruit in the front end, and crisp bright, red fruit on the back end is what you will find here in this medium- bodied, lean wine. 85-87 Pts

3,971 Views   Tasted
2017
86
Bright and crunchy red fruits with a cedar and tobacco edge is what you find here. Medium-bodied and forward in style, drink this in its youth.

Bright and crunchy red fruits with a cedar and tobacco edge is what you find here. Medium-bodied and forward in style, drink this in its youth.

2,804 Views   Tasted
A medium bodied, soft, uncomplicated, red berry and thyme-filled wine with olive accents in the finish. This is best for early drinking pleasure.

A medium bodied, soft, uncomplicated, red berry and thyme-filled wine with olive accents in the finish. This is best for early drinking pleasure.

2,955 Views   Tasted
2016
87
Lighter style of wine that is open, early drinking and offers bright red plums, earth, herbs and spice.

Lighter style of wine that is open, early drinking and offers bright red plums, earth, herbs and spice.

3,038 Views   Tasted
A medium-bodied, forward, soft, ripe, open wine with sweet plums, earth and spice that will drink well early.

A medium-bodied, forward, soft, ripe, open wine with sweet plums, earth and spice that will drink well early.

3,901 Views   Tasted
2015
86
Medium-bodied with more earth, cedar and tobacco leaf than fruit, the wine is correct, classic and a tad short in the finish.

Medium-bodied with more earth, cedar and tobacco leaf than fruit, the wine is correct, classic and a tad short in the finish.

3,468 Views   Tasted
Medium bodied, forward, red berry dominated wine with accents of herbs, espresso and smoke.

Medium bodied, forward, red berry dominated wine with accents of herbs, espresso and smoke.

3,285 Views   Tasted
An easy drinking, light, Haut Medoc, with crisp, correct, blackberry and red plum notes that will be best in its youth. 84 - 86 Pts

An easy drinking, light, Haut Medoc, with crisp, correct, blackberry and red plum notes that will be best in its youth. 84 - 86 Pts

3,313 Views   Tasted
2014
87
Already showing some secondary characteristics with tobacco and cedar on top of the blackberry and cassis. Medium/full bodied, and with some rusticity in the crisp, bright, finish. The wine was made from a blend of 50% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc.

Already showing some secondary characteristics with tobacco and cedar on top of the blackberry and cassis. Medium/full bodied, and with some rusticity in the crisp, bright, finish. The wine was made from a blend of 50% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc.

5,480 Views   Tasted
2013
84
With a dominant note of light, bright strawberries, raspberry, and a touch of oak and herbs, this medium bodied, crisp wine is made for early, uncomplicated drinking. The wine was made from a blend of 49% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc.

With a dominant note of light, bright strawberries, raspberry, and a touch of oak and herbs, this medium bodied, crisp wine is made for early, uncomplicated drinking. The wine was made from a blend of 49% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc.

3,256 Views   Tasted
2012
85
An easy drinking, light, Haut Medoc, with crisp, correct, blackberry and red plum notes that will be best in its youth.

An easy drinking, light, Haut Medoc, with crisp, correct, blackberry and red plum notes that will be best in its youth.

2,914 Views   Tasted
Blending 49% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc produced an easy drinking Medoc, with crisp, blackberry and plum notes that will be best in its youth.

Blending 49% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc produced an easy drinking Medoc, with crisp, blackberry and plum notes that will be best in its youth.

3,383 Views   Tasted
2011
83
Light, slight tart and rustic, this needs to be consumed in its youth.

Light, slight tart and rustic, this needs to be consumed in its youth.

3,489 Views   Tasted
2010
89
Licorice, black and red fruits coupled with an open round personality make this another nice value wine from the 2010 Bordeaux vintage.

Licorice, black and red fruits coupled with an open round personality make this another nice value wine from the 2010 Bordeaux vintage.

5,238 Views   Tasted
2009
88
Medium bodied, soft, open, earthy, dark red berry filled wine that is showing well today.

Medium bodied, soft, open, earthy, dark red berry filled wine that is showing well today.

3,335 Views   Tasted
2008
85
Bright, lean, tart, fresh red fruits coupled with herbal and leafy notes in a medium bodied, crisp wine are what you find here. Time will not add much to this wine.

Bright, lean, tart, fresh red fruits coupled with herbal and leafy notes in a medium bodied, crisp wine are what you find here. Time will not add much to this wine.

3,139 Views   Tasted
2005
87
A nice, average, easy going, crowd pleasing style of Bordeaux.

A nice, average, easy going, crowd pleasing style of Bordeaux.

5,027 Views   Tasted
2000
88
A nice value here with its fully mature tobacco, earthy, cassis, blackberry and cranberry profile. Medium bodied, traditional in style, with all the tannins resolved, time to drink up.

A nice value here with its fully mature tobacco, earthy, cassis, blackberry and cranberry profile. Medium bodied, traditional in style, with all the tannins resolved, time to drink up.

3,180 Views   Tasted
1918
70
On the one hand, you have to respect any wine that is still offering even hints of life at 100 years of age, let alone a war years wine from a moderate terroir. But once past the romance, the pale red colored hue showcases a tart, cranberry-filled wine with more cedar, tobacco, and earth than tart, red fruits. Regardless, it was an honor drinking this bit of history.

On the one hand, you have to respect any wine that is still offering even hints of life at 100 years of age, let alone a war years wine from a moderate terroir. But once past the romance, the pale red colored hue showcases a tart, cranberry-filled wine with more cedar, tobacco, and earth than tart, red fruits. Regardless, it was an honor drinking this bit of history.

2,262 Views   Tasted