| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
From the same family as Enclos Tourmaline, the rising superstar from the ex-winemaker at La Violette and Le Gay, comes Tour St Christophe a St Emilion located between Troplong Mondot and Tertre Roteboeuf. The 20 hectare vineyard is planted with 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc.
The 2017 Tour Saint Christophe has a well defined bouquet with black truffle tinged black fruit with hints of cassis surfacing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, very lithe in the mouth, not the most complex Tour Saint Christophe that I have tasted in recent years, but I appreciate the saline finish. Very fine. Drink 2022-2038.
A spicy, fresh and intense red on the nose with chocolate. Medium to full body and very fine tannins that give a creamy texture. Juicy and long. A blend of 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc. Want to drink it now, but better after 2022.
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Tour Saint-Christophe (blended of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc) charges out of the glass with bold notions of dried mulberries, fruitcake and baked plums plus hints of tobacco, iron ore and tilled soil. Full-bodied, the palate is undeniably rich and opulent, yet the freshness injects vibrance and a sense of decorum, supported by plush tannins, finishing on a compelling mineral note. The alcohol here is knocking on 15%, but you wouldn't know it. (Psst, considering this is well over the 14% USA tariff threshold, this should find lots of takers in the States!)
2020 - 2037
There was no frost here on the St Emilion slopes. The yield was 35 hl/ha and the wine will be aged in 40% new oak. Production 45,000 bottles. Deep ruby colour with rich cassis and bramble on the nose - this has great purity and only subtle spicy undertones. The palate is generous, with polished but plentiful tannins gently framing a juicy, expansive core of forest fruits. The acidity is still vibrant and serves to lift the ripest notes of damson and blackberry. Spices and smoke linger in the background, but are subtle, integrated and fine. The finish is long and pure in its black fruit character. The refinement of tannin suggests this wine will start to drink well 3-5 years after bottling.
Fragrant fresh the nose has spring violets the palate bright at the start with blackberries and red fruits. Sweet and ripe in the middle a rich mix of flavours all backed by fine tannins. Sweet and ripe at the back the finish is lighter freshness length. 2024-34
This is a structured and firm TSC with energy and active tannins and there are some sour notes here which make the mouth water. This is a younger and firmer style and it is super-clean on the nose with epic oak integration coming from the barrel-fermented portion. Classy, long, cool and purple-fruited this is a superb wine.
The 2017 Tour Saint Christophe, owned by Peter Kwok, showed much more delineation and terroir expression compared to Bellefont-Belcier tasted alongside. The aromatics are packed with black cherries, cassis and bilberry, just a light touch of the sea emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannin, plush black cherry and boysenberry fruit laced with orange rind and quince towards the fresh and focused finish. Very fine. Drink 2022-2040.
Dense and layered red with dark berry, volcanic ash and white pepper. Full-bodied, layered and chewy. Muscular.
The tentative blend of the 2017 Tour Saint-Christophe is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it's purely scented of fresh blackberries, blackcurrants and mulberries with touches of pencil shavings and lavender. The palate is medium-bodied, finely crafted and refreshing in the mouth with firm, fine-grained tannins and an herbal lift on the finish.
