Intense aromas of blackberries, blueberries and spices. Hints of limestone and a graphite edge also come out now. Full-bodied, structured and muscular. Layered and intense. Dark berries and hints of sea salt on the finish. Steely minerality and freshness. Wow. Drink in 2024 but so interesting to taste.

A clear step up over past vintage, the 2015 Chateau Tour Saint Christophe checks in as 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, from tiny yields, that was brought up in 40% new French oak. This ripe, sexy Saint-Emilion offers a big, fleshy, full-bodied profile that carries lots of blackcurrant and blueberry fruits as well as notes of Asian spices, dried tobacco, and cedarwood. Despite being a rich, powerful wine, it has beautiful overall freshness and purity, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. It’s a killer bottle of wine to enjoy over the coming two decades or so.

The complex nose pops with smoke, black cherries, chocolate, flowers, and sea salt with accents of herbs and truffle. Full bodied, concentrated and on the mineral accented side with its salty overtones that ride along with blackberries and cherries. This is drinking great today and has room to improve. Drink from 2025-2040.

Excellent density, power and freshness – and a step up from previous vintages tasted in a vertical in St-Emilion. The first vintage to include 6ha of largely limestone soils that have added another dimension to the wine. One experiences both warmth and grip – a good sign for further cellaring – but with lift on the finish that makes this clearly as good as many current grands crus classés. Fit for fine gastronomy, such as filet mignon.

92+ A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, matured for 18 months in oak, 40% new, the 2015 Tour Saint Christophe is deep garnet-purple in color with notes of wild blueberries, plum preserves and fruitcake plus touches of dried flowers and underbrush. The concentrated, full-bodied palate is packed with ripe blue and black fruits, supported by a solid foundation of plush, velvety tannins and finishes with wonderful length. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown