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 2021 Tour Saint Christophe is a Bordeaux blend from the Saint Emilion sub-region in Bordeaux, France. Produced by Tour Saint Christophe, this red wine has an alcohol content of 13.5% and is sealed with a cork closure. The wine has received numerous reviews from professional wine critics, with scores ranging from 92 to 93 points, highlighting its quality and appeal.

Decanter rated the wine 92 points and described it as having "a dark brooding nose, rich and concentrated, a touch savoury with soft perfumed blackberry aromas." They noted the wine’s freshness and vibrancy, with a "kick of fresh strawberry juice giving such energy to the palate." The review highlighted the wine's structure and gentle herbal tones, concluding that it is a "great effort in 2021" and a top buy for pure enjoyment.

James Suckling awarded the wine 93 points, praising its "black cherries, mussels, mineral, chili chocolate and dark olives" aromas. The palate is described as "bright and racy," with fine-grained tannins adding heft before a "linear, lengthy finish." Suckling recommends drinking this wine now or holding it for further aging.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also gave the wine a score of 92 points, noting its aromas of "cherries and sweet berries mingled with hints of loamy soil and sweet new oak." The wine is described as "medium to full-bodied, pure and lively," with powdery tannins and a penetrating finish.

Vinous rated the wine 93 points, calling it "dark, supple and engaging" with flavors of "dark fruit, leather, licorice, chocolate, spice and tobacco." The review mentions that the wine was aged 20% in foudres and is less opulent than in other vintages, which is seen as a positive aspect.

Jane Anson awarded the wine 92 points, describing it as having "grilled cedar and sweet sandalwood, sappy raspberry and redcurrant fruit." She noted the fresh acidities and the wine’s enjoyable texture and life to the tannins.

Jeff Leve gave the wine 93 points, highlighting its aromas of "flowers, cherries, chocolate, black raspberries, plums, blueberries and a background note of citrus." He described the palate as "soft, polished, sweet and creamy," with layers of cherries and chocolate-coated, salty plums.

Jeb Dunnuck rated the wine 92 points, praising its "ripe red and black fruits, tobacco, chalky minerality, and nicely integrated oak." He described the wine as medium-bodied with a focused, elegant mouthfeel and ripe tannins, and recommended giving it 2-3 years before enjoying it over the following 15 years.

Overall, the 2021 Tour Saint Christophe has been well-received by critics, praised for its freshness, structure, and vibrant flavors.