| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > St Emilion |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
From the same owner as Enclos Tourmaline, and the ex-winemaker at La Violette and Le Gay, comes Tour St Christophe: a St Emilion located between Troplong Mondot and Tertre Rôteboeuf. The 20 hectare vineyard is planted with 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc.
The 2021 Tour Saint Christophe has turned out very well, delivering aromas of cherries and sweet berries mingled with hints of loamy soil and sweet new oak. Medium to full-bodied, pure and lively, it's elegantly muscular, with powdery tannins and a penetrating finish.
The 2021 Tour Saint Christophe is perfumed and high-toned on the nose, featuring blueberry and raspberry fruit mixed with violet and iris flower. The palate is well balanced with sappy black fruit, gentle grip, impressive balance and a correct, quite linear finish. Stylish and with good aging potential. It should end up at the top of my banded score.
The 2021 was harvested at 35hl/ha, but volumes will be roughly 15% down on last year as the young vines were relegated to the second wine. Deep ruby colour with a stony, mineral quality to the nose that is full of briary fruit. There is a raw, oily quality to the fruit on the palate, which is lined by firm, chalky tannins that persist long onto the finsh. There is a real pop of fresh fruit through the mid-palate, which has great energy and only the subtlest hints of wood spice. Pure and long, this is a different take on Bordeaux that is moreish, with lipsmacking freshness and fruit drive on the finish.
This is already nicely salty and chalky with crushed stones. Medium-to full-bodied with medium, firm tannins and a medium, juicy finish.
Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2021 Tour Saint Christophe reveals notes of blueberry compote, Morello cherries, and black raspberries with touches of cinnamon stick, cloves, and tilled soil. The medium-bodied palate offers mouth-coating black and blue fruits with a solid frame of rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a lingering, fragrant earthy note. Yields this year were 35 hl/ha and the blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.
2025-2040
Vignobles K is on a roll, with a series of great vintages, and there is clear depth to the fruit, heavy on the limestone salinity, enjoyable pumice stone minerality, and a push and pull between tannins and acidity. The signature of the vintage comes through in a sharp finish as the acidity kicks in, emphasising the austerity, but this is a successful wine. Emmanuelle Fulchi D’Aligny arrived from Château Angélus as technical director in March 2022.
80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. 35 hl/ha. Cask sample.
Lively and fresh with red-berry notes. Tension and length on the palate but sufficient fruit to add a bit of flesh. Chalky, terroir finish but nothing tough or exaggerated. Pleasing medium-term drinking. (JL) 13.6%
Drink 2026 – 2036
