LAST CHANCE: 1pk Chateau Tour Saint Christophe Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2020

The vineyard's terraced arrangement is highly unusual for Bordeaux, where most estates feature gently rolling hills or flat plains. These narrow terraces carved into the southwest-facing slopes overlooking Saint Laurent Valley create exceptional drainage conditions that prevent waterlogging during Bordeaux's often wet harvest periods. This terroir advantage, combined with the clay-limestone soils, allows the merlot and cabernet franc vines to develop concentrated flavours while maintaining the elegant structure that defines great Saint-Émilion wines.

This blend ratio is classic for Right Bank Bordeaux, where merlot's plush fruit and approachable tannins provide the foundation, while cabernet franc adds structural backbone and aromatic complexity. The high merlot percentage delivers the wine's signature blackberry richness and full-bodied texture, whilst the cabernet franc contributes the peppery spice notes and helps extend the lengthy finish. This combination is particularly well-suited to the clay-limestone terroir of Saint-Émilion, where both varieties can achieve optimal ripeness.

The unanimous high scores from respected critics like James Suckling, Jeb Dunnuck, and Robert Parker indicate that 2020 was an outstanding vintage for this estate, likely benefiting from ideal weather conditions during the growing season. These scores place this wine among the top tier of Saint-Émilion Grand Cru releases, suggesting exceptional concentration, balance, and ageing potential. When multiple critics converge on such high ratings, it typically signals a wine that successfully expresses both its terroir and vintage character at the highest level.

The moderate use of new oak (40%) strikes an ideal balance between enhancing the wine's structure without overwhelming its natural fruit character - a hallmark of quality Bordeaux winemaking. The 15-month maturation period allows the wine to integrate the oak's vanilla and spice notes whilst developing secondary flavours like the chocolate and leather aromatics mentioned in the tasting profile. This restrained approach to oak usage ensures the terroir expression remains prominent while adding complexity and improving the wine's ageing potential over the next 10-15 years.

The wine's full-bodied structure and savoury characteristics make it an excellent match for rich, protein-heavy dishes that can stand up to its intensity. Classic pairings include roasted lamb with herbs, aged beef steaks, or game meats like venison, where the wine's tannins help cut through the richness whilst the cedar and spice notes complement the meat's natural flavours. The wine's blackberry fruit and peppery finish also work beautifully with mushroom-based dishes or aged hard cheeses, creating harmonious flavour bridges between the wine's earthy complexity and the food's umami depth.