Tour St Christophe 2017 (750ML)

93 Points, Christopher Deas, Zachys Buying Team: "Tasted two times from barrel, alongside the team's stunning new efforts at Bellefont Belcier. For Zahys, it is Tour Saint Christophe that is our top value recommendation from Saint-Emilion during our En Primeur tasting trip. The 2017 is toned down from the ripe and more massive 2015 and is simply more classic, offering even more precision, freshness, and tension, while maintaining the signature texture and richness of the house. The terroir speaks here, and there is tremendous energy from the prized limestone plateau that screams through the elegant layers of fruit. Expect to find a red and black fruit profile with nuances of black cherry, blueberries, blackberries, crushed flowers, herbs, chalk and a savoriness on the finish that manages to gracefully linger. Few wines are so exciting to watch and provide so much at the under $30 en primeur price. Best is yet to come." (4/2018)

92 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2017 Tour Saint Christophe has a well defined bouquet with black truffle tinged black fruit with hints of cassis surfacing with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, very lithe in the mouth, not the most complex Tour Saint Christophe that I have tasted in recent years, but I appreciate the saline finish. Very fine. " 2/20

93+ Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2017 Tour Saint Christophe is a dense, richly constituted wine loaded with tremendous energy and pure power. It is also a bit shut down; so I would prefer to give it a few years in bottle to be at its best. Black fruit, chocolate, leather, licorice and spice build into the potent, virile finish. This is a wine with tremendous promise." 3/20

93 Points, James Suckling, jamesuckling.com: "A spicy, fresh and intense red on the nose with chocolate. Medium to full body and very fine tannins that give a creamy texture. Juicy and long. A blend of 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc. Want to drink it now, but better after 2022." 1/20

95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com: "From a picturesque vineyard on the east side of Saint-Emilion, not far from Chateau Barde-Haut the 2017 Chateau Tour Saint Christophe checks in as a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc that was brought up in a mix of new and used barrels. This inky purple-hued beauty boasts stunning notes of blue fruits, crushed rocks, violets, and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, and with remarkable purity as well as finesse in its tannins, this is another remarkable wine from this estate, which has been turning out brilliant wines in every vintage now. Don't miss it. Tasted twice." 2/20