2014 Tour St-Christophe, St-Émilion GC
The wine is gaining its own identity with the 2014 vintage, with floral nose, mineral taste and ripe, dark fruit. The tannins ample strong, and create good texture. A 30-minute full decanting should be suitable. Scores are pretty higher: JS94, RP93 etc.
We are proud that its second wine Les Terrasses 2014 scored a stunning 95 points from Decanter, making it the publication's 'Best Right Bank Bordeaux'! What's even more exciting is that this second wine is selling just slightly less than the First Wine 2014 Tour St-Christophe, St-Émilion GC!!
Soil and microclimates similar to Valandraud and Chateau Fleur Cardinale in the warmer, Easter side of St Emilion.
Yes, it is run by a Chinese Peter Kwok in 2012 who also owns the Chateau Haut Brisson close to the famous Chateau Monbousquet or Chateau Teyssier . Peter Kwok purchased Haut Brisson in 1997 and continued adding to his portfolio of estates Chateau Enclos Tourmaline and Chateau Tourans
The 19 hectare St. Emilion vineyard of Chateau Tour Saint Christophe has a terroir of clay and limestone soils, hence the wine style is pretty intense. The vineyard is planted to 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, hence there is always a certain ripeness to it with floral and fragrances . The vines are planted to a density of 6,500 vines per hectare on the older plots. New parcels are being planted to a higher vine density of 7,500 vines per hectare.
Using micro vinification techniques made famous by Michell Rolland, the grapes are whole berry fermented, using micro vinification techniques, meaning that the wine is vinified in 60% new, French oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel. The wine is then aged in 60% new, French oak barrels for an average of 18 months before bottling. Hence the tannins are smoothed. Omly 4000 cases are produced each year. All the vineyard management work is done using only organic, biodynamic, sustainable vineyard farming techniques
94 points James Suckling
Fantastic aromas of blackberries, flowers, chalk and blueberries. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Intense and structured. (2/2017)
93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Tour Saint-Christophe comes from Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, the lieu-dit Cassevert, where proprietor Peter Kwok has built some quite startling terraces on the slope to improve the terroir (apparently recruited from Spain as only they possess the technical know-how). My, what a Saint Emilion this is. It has a very well-defined bouquet with crisp, pure mineral-rich red and black fruit. I like the focus here; there is an intention to perform at the top level that comes through where it matters—in the glass. The palate is silky smooth with a fine line of acidity, layers of red cherry and blueberry fruit, leading to a detailed and very satisfying, long finish. This 2014 serves notice of a new, bright kid on the block. (3/2017)
91 points Vinous
The 2014 Tour Saint-Christophe is opulent and full-throttle in style, with plenty of up-front fruit to match its racy, open-knit personality. Violets, blackberry jam, spices and new leather abound in a succulent St.-Emilion to enjoy over the next decade or so. A second sample was quite a bit firmer and more structured. It will be interesting to see which of the two samples turns out to be closer to the finished wine. The blend is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. Tasted two times. (AG) (4/2015)
