Tour St Christophe 2018 (6L)

94-96 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, minerality, and backbone to go along with its expansive core of black fruit. It is easily one of the values of the vintage (once again) and that is saying a lot as we tasted through 400+ wines. We had the same reaction with the 2016, but in 2018 there is more of everything - a deeper concentration of fruit; big, but well integrated tannins, freshness and energy. Sure, the silky texture and ripe tannins that has become a trademark of the estate is hugely present, but this wine remains light on its feet with lift and the limestone spine screaming through. Expect to find rich nuances of blackberry, damson, plum, along with crushed violets, black licorice, spice, chalk, and salt. 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." (4/2018)

94 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2018 Tour Saint Christophe is a lovely Saint-Émilion. It has retained the floral aspect that I remarked on in barrel, iris and peony infusing the black fruit, but now displays a more conspicuous marine element. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, wonderful definition and perfectly judged acidity. Quite classic in style and reassuringly sophisticated, this is a wonderful Tour Saint Christophe that oozes class." 03/21

97 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com: "Currant, red-tea, chili, chocolate and lemon-zest aromas. Chalk and crushed gravel, too. It’s medium-bodied with tight, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity. Sleek and tight with crunchy berry, mineral and zesty notes on the finish. Complex. Pretty center palate to this. Extremely polished." 01/21

95+ Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com: "Emerging from a beautiful, terraced vineyard on the eastern side of Saint-Emilion, the 2018 Château Tour Saint Christophe is based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc that was brought up in 40% new French oak. Its vivid purple color is followed by a great nose of blackcurrants, blueberries, tobacco leaf, chocolate, violets, and chocolate. Hitting the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, it has this wonderful sense of purity and elegance, a touch of chalky minerality, flawless balance, and a great finish. This beautiful, elegant, seamless Saint-Emilion needs 4-5 years of bottle age but will evolve for 20-25 years. You won't regret having this in the cellar." 03/21