Chateau Tour Saint Christophe Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020

The vineyard features narrow terraces carved into the hillside overlooking the Saint Laurent Valley, which is quite unusual for Bordeaux where most vineyards are planted on gentle slopes or flat terrain. This terraced arrangement provides exceptional drainage through the clay and limestone soils, while the southwest exposure maximises sun exposure during the crucial afternoon hours. The elevated position and terraced structure create a distinctive microclimate that contributes to the wine's concentrated character and complexity.

This blend ratio showcases the best of Right Bank Bordeaux winemaking, where merlot provides the wine's plush fruit core and approachable tannins, while cabernet franc adds structural backbone and distinctive spice notes. The high proportion of merlot creates immediate appeal with rich blackberry flavours, whilst the cabernet franc contributes the peppery finish and enhances the wine's ageing potential. This combination is particularly well-suited to Saint-Emilion's clay-limestone terroir, allowing both varieties to express their optimal characteristics.

The combination of 40% new oak with older barrels creates a balanced integration of wood influence without overwhelming the fruit character. New oak barrels contribute vanilla, spice, and structural tannins that complement the wine's natural chocolate and tar notes, while the older barrels allow for gentle oxidation and flavour development. The 15-month duration is carefully calibrated to Saint-Emilion's style - long enough to develop complexity and integrate the oak, but not so long as to mask the terroir-driven characteristics of this exceptional vineyard site.

The 2020 vintage in Bordeaux is being hailed as exceptional due to ideal weather conditions that produced perfectly ripe, concentrated fruit with excellent natural acidity. The scores of 96 points from both James Suckling and Jeb Dunnuck, plus 95 points from Robert Parker, reflect the vintage's outstanding quality and this estate's particular success in capturing the year's potential. The combination of the unique terraced vineyard, optimal vintage conditions, and skilled winemaking has created a wine that balances power with elegance, showing both immediate appeal and long-term ageing potential.

This full-bodied wine with ripe tannins can be enjoyed now with proper decanting, but will continue to develop complexity over the next 15-20 years as the tannins soften and secondary flavours emerge. Serve at 16-18°C to showcase the intricate balance between fruit, spice, and oak influences. The wine's textured, savoury style makes it an excellent match for rich meat dishes, aged cheeses, or game, where its lengthy finish and structured tannins can complement bold flavours without being overwhelmed.