Tour St Christophe 2016 (750ML)

"94+ Points, Zachys Buying Team: "Tasted three times during En Primeur. With its prime location across from Troplong Mondot and near Tertre Rotebouef and Barde Haut, and Peter Kwok's team, this small, biodynamically run estate is easily one of the most watched projects on the Right Bank. Their terraced vineyards with old vines reaches through the limestone and gets to the blue clay underneath and gives the wine depth and minerality to go along with its signature density of fruit. It is easily one of the values of the vintage and that is saying a lot as we tasted through 400+ wines. We had the same reaction with the 2015, but in 2016 there is more freshness, verve and energy. Sure, the silky texture and ripe tannins that has become a trademark of the estate is hugely present, there is lift and nuances to go along with the red and black fruit. The acidity is higher in 2016 and we believe this is their most complete wine to date. It is so good - you can almost drink it now. We are not alone, this wine sold out in a record two hours from the negociants, and has already sold out at many merchants across the world. Just 4,000 cases are produced and few wines deliver so much at this price point. Bravo to managing director Jean Christophe Meyrou and winemaker Jerome Aguirre for making a wine of this quality accessible to so many."""

94 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2016 Tour Saint-Christophe is made up of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. It was aged in 40% new, 40% one-year-old and 20% two-year-old oak for 18 months. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it sings of roses, chocolate-covered cherries, redcurrant jelly and cinnamon stick with touches of cigar box and forest floor. Big, full-bodied and richly fruited yet with great tension, it has a compellingly perfumed palate and gorgeous velvety texture with great persistence." 11/18

94+ Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2016 Tour Saint Christophe has a wonderful, beautifully defined bouquet of blackberry, raspberry, crushed stone and hints of pressed flowers, all very focused and delineated. The palate is well balanced, with fine but quite firm tannins and well-judged acidity, and very persistent toward the finish. I appreciate the harmony and intensity of this Tour Saint Christophe. A wonderful Saint-Émilion from "team Kwok"!" 1/19

93 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2016 Tour Saint Christophe is a potent, tightly wound wine that is going to need quite a bit of time to be at its best. That is surprising, as the 2016 was quite a bit more sensual en primeur. Even so, the 2016 is a gorgeous, hugely promising Saint-Émilion. Dark red cherry, plum, espresso, leather and tobacco build as this beautifully layered wine gradually reveals its many charms. There is so much to look forward to, once the tannins soften a bit." 12/18

96 Points, James Suckling: "This has a rich and ripe dark-fruit nose with a wealth of stony attraction and a lighter, floral edge. The palate has a very rich core of deeply ripe, fleshy fruit, framed in cedary oak. Really impressive clarity and web-like tannins. Superb finish. Try from 2023." 02/19

94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com: "This incredibly beautiful estate was purchased by Peter Kwok, a Hong Kong-based financier, in 2012. The estate covers a tiny 6.5 hectares (some terraced) just down from Château Barde-Haut, and it remains one of the hidden gems in just about every vintage. The 2016 Château Tour Saint Christophe is another winner. Composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc that spent 18 months in 40% new French oak, this concentrated, structured 2016 is one for the cellar. It offers a deep ruby/purple color and a powerful array of black fruits, graphite, and earthy minerality as well as a hint of salinity and spring flowers. It has fine tannins (but plenty of them), beautiful balance, and a straight, focused texture, all pointing to the cellar being your friend. Hide bottles of 4-5 years and enjoy over the following 15-20. Tasted twice." 2/19