Description
Chateau Tour Saint Christophe is located in Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes at the frontiers of Saint-Emilion. The vineyard is a uniqueChateau Tour Saint Christophe is located in Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes at the frontiers of Saint-Emilion. The vineyard is a unique feature in Saint-Emilion, as it is partly planted on narrow terraces where the vineyard is tended in tight rows. This cascading landscape unfolds on the hillside of Cassevert overlooking the Saint Laurent valley.Chateau Tour Saint Christophe was acquired by Peter Kwok and his daughter Karen in 2012.The property overlooks beautiful centuries-old dry stone terraces on a clay-limestone terroir. In order to preserve its rich heritage, Peter undertook to restore the Chateau. The objective was to revive the vineyard terraces with the reconstruction of dry stone walls as it had been built in the 18th century. About 1.5 km of dry-stone terraces have been repaired by hand, a two-year process to preserve the appearance of these unique terraces in Saint-Emilion.The vineyard, with vines of an average age of thirty years, is orientated South-Southwest and benefits from an ideal exposure to sun and perfect natural drainage conditions. It is this secret alchemy which contributes to the quality of our terroir.Today the property consists of 20 hectares on the appellation of Saint Emilion Grand CruVinification After a meticulous selection process on the vines and in the winery, the sorted grapes are filled into concrete tanks or directly into Bordeaux barrels about 25% of the harvest. This follows the method of Vinification Integrale, particularly well- suited for Chateau Tour Saint Christophe. Our team is always present at the opening and closing of barrels by our cooper partners for better quality control.In 2015, the cellars were renovated and redesigned to best serve the expression of our terroir. The aim of the renovation focused not only on preserving the best of our berries but also on facilitating our teams processes. The main winery is fitted with advanced, varietal sized, and thermal-regu- lated concrete vats. With these vats, our team can separate the different plots of the vineyard and facilitate the pigeage. Two additional cellars have been devised for vinification in barrel and for malolactic fermentation through climate-control systems.Tasting Chateau Tour Saint Christophe 2015 has a deep red color nearly approaching the black. The first notes show minerality, sitting on very ripe red fruit. Then, spicy wood notes somewhat reminiscent of a ncigar box / which are not unlike the nose of a box cigar. After airing the spicy part grows to almost camphorated notes. The fruit focuses on a black fruit jam. In the mouth, the attack is on the fruit with an evolution on roundness and the chalky side, typical of our terroir. Endowed with a nice balance and an impressive aromatic delicacy,the freshness and tension are there. The mid-palate remembers the notes of the cigar box. The saline finish characteristic for Tour Saint Christophe, explodes on the fruit.JAMES SUCKLING – 95 – 96 AExtremely firm and silky. Dark berry, violet, salt and mineral. Full body. Energy, vibrant and verve. Layered and compressed. Best ever here. 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc.EROBERTPARKER NEAL MARTIN – 92 – 94 AThe 2015 Tour Saint-Christophe, owned by Peter Kwok since 2012, is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc cropped at 33 hl/ha between 3-16 October and matured in 40% new oak. It has an intense nose, perhaps slightly on the alcoholic side due to the Merlot 14.8%. The palate is more controlled and refined. There is still some new oak to be absorbed, but the tannins seem fine, and it is endowed with blood orange and citrus fruit lending freshness and tension on the long, sensual finish. Bottle-age will temper the nose and it should ultimately turn into a very impressive Saint Emilion.Neal Martin April 2016.Jeb Dunnuck – 95 A total blockbuster from new owner Peter Kwok, who purchased the estate in 2012, the 2015 Chateau Tour Saint Christophe is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc brought up in 40% new wood. It boasts a deep purple color and sensational notes of ripe currants and creme de cassis, as well as background graphite, cedar, and spice nuances. Full-bodied, deep, layered, and perfectly balanced, with sweet tannin and integrated acidity, its one of those wines where everything is in the right place, it has no hard edges, and a beautiful finish. It needs short-term cellaring to come together, but you shouldnt miss this beauty. Its worth mentioning the estate is managed by the talented Jerome Aguirre and utilizes Michel Rolland as a consultant.James Suckling April 2016ANTONIO GALLONI – 91 / 94The 2015 Tour Saint Christophe is the most beautiful wine I have tasted off this property. Dark, sumptuous and yet also strikingly vivid, the 2015 possesses superb nuance to balance its natural intensity. Cloves, new leather, creme de cassis and sweet spices give the 2015 much of its unctuous feel and overall texture. This is a superb nshowing ?om Tour Saint Christophe and the team led by proprietor Peter Kwok and consultant Michel Rolland. Antonio Galloni April 2016WINE ENTHUSIAST – 91 – 93This is a perfumed, minty wine, attractive and ?eshly ?uity. It has great acidity and fine, firm tannins, ripe and potentially with a generous, full texture. – Roger Voss April 2016.” – Chateau Tour Saint-Christophe
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