Chateau Tour Saint Christophe is a Bordeaux wine estate located in the Saint Emilion Grand Cru appellation at the border between the villages of Saint-Emilion and Saint Christophe des Bardes. The property overlooks beautiful centuries-old dry stone terraces on a clay-limestone subsoil. The shape of the property is a unique feature among the vineyards of Saint-Emilion, partly planted on narrow terraces where the vineyard is tended in tight five-row groups. This micro-landscape extends onto the slope overlooking the St Laurent valley.

In order to preserve the estate’s rich heritage, owner Peter Kwok undertook a recent restoration of the Chateau and revived the vineyard terraces with the reconstruction of dry stone walls as it had been built in the 18th century. About 1.5 km of dry-stone terraces have been repaired by hand, a two-year process, preserving their unique appearance.

The vineyard has an ideal south-southwest exposure and perfect natural drainage conditions. It is this secret alchemy which contributes to the quality of their terroir. The vines, 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, have an average age of thirty years.

When Peter Kwok purchased Chateau Tourans in 2015, its vines were added to Chateau Tour Saint Christophe, bringing the estate’s vineyard surface up to 20 hectares.

Chateau Tour Saint Christophe is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc grown on clay and limestone soil. The sorted grapes are put directly into concrete tanks or Bordeaux barrels (about 25% of the harvest). This follows the method of Vinification Intégrale, particularly well-suited for the Chateau Tour Saint Christophe terroir.

The wine is aged in the same barrels for 15-18 months at constant temperature in the underground cellar. Depending on the vintage, the proportion of new oak varies from 30% to 40% with the balance using 1- and 2-year old barrels.

The 2020 Tour Saint Christophe is a remarkable Bordeaux Blend hailing from the prestigious Saint Emilion region of Bordeaux, France. This red wine exudes elegance and sophistication, capturing the essence of its terroir with finesse and precision.

In the glass, the wine displays a deep, garnet color that hints at its intensity and concentration. The nose is greeted with clean and precisely-spliced black fruits, offering an enticing invitation to explore further. As the wine unfolds on the palate, austerity in the tannins becomes apparent, adding structure and depth to the wine's profile. A subtle mocha and grilled coffee bean edging emerges through the finish, adding complexity and intrigue.

Renowned wine critic James Suckling awarded this vintage an impressive score of 96 points, praising its abundance of black fruit, black walnuts, blueberries, wet earth, black truffles, and graphite. Medium to full-bodied, the wine showcases remarkable tension and focus, running long on the palate with a salty undertone and hints of bitter, burnt lemon. Suckling suggests that this wine will truly shine after 2027, allowing its subtle nuances to fully develop.

Another respected critic, Jeb Dunnuck, also awarded the 2020 Château Tour Saint Christophe a score of 96 points, noting its incredible purity, balance, and subtle oak influences. Composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, this wine showcases terrific darker, almost blue fruits, as well as notes of chocolate, leafy herbs, and minerals. Dunnuck remarks that this vintage will continue to evolve beautifully over the next two decades.

Dark black fruit, licorice, chocolate, espresso, smoke, and wet earth nuances create a complex array of aromatics, as described by Jeff Leve. On the palate, the wine is lush, fresh, and fruity, with layers of black, red, and blue fruits that are as pleasing to the taste buds as they are to the senses. Leve suggests enjoying this wine from 2025 to 2045, allowing it to fully express its potential.

With its expressive character and exceptional quality, the 2020 Tour Saint Christophe is a wine that commands attention. Whether enjoyed now or cellared for future enjoyment, this Saint-Emilion gem promises to captivate wine enthusiasts and collectors alike.