Chateau Tour Saint Christophe 2022
SKU
CHCH202210 UCAU
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En Primeur - Delivery late 2025
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Iodine, crushed stone, salt, oyster shell, ink pot. Fascinating. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with a firm framing of fruit, with fine tannins and electric acidity. - James Suckling
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The palate, is rich, lush, and packed with layers of chalk, black cherries, chocolate, espresso and 5 spice. The finish is creamy, vibrant, and loaded with sweet, ripe, dark red fruits that linger - Jeff Leve
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1 or more bottles$85.00
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James Suckling96 points
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Jeb Dunnuck96 points
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Vinous94 points
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Jeff Leve97 points
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Lisa Perrotti-B93 points
Editors notes
Predominantly merlot (80%), lending the wine a richness and roundness that is classic of the appellation, combined with Cabernet Franc which adds some notes of cassis, tobacco leaf and spice. The nose is fragrant with notes of violets and currants. The palate displays ripe, red plum, redcurrants, cassis and blackberries, alongside a subtle herbaceous note. The wine will benefit from some ageing, but can be enjoyed young after decanting. The wine is full, plush and inviting. Enjoy with some duck breast, braised lamb or even something a little more adventurous such as a mild lamb curry.
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Critic Scores & reviews
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James Suckling
96"Iodine, crushed stone, salt, oyster shell, ink pot. Fascinating. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with a firm framing of fruit, with fine tannins and electric acidity. Exceptional. pH of 3.48 with just under 15% alcohol. Still thinking about this. 95-96 James Suckling"
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Jeb Dunnuck
96"Another great wine from this château, the 2022 Château Tour Saint Christophe checks in as 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc brought up in 25% new French oak. It has a great nose of red plums, cassis, chalky minerality, and spice, and this full-bodied Saint-Emilion is impeccably balanced, with a pure, graceful mouthfeel, fine tannins, and outstanding length. The purity of fruit here is truly terrific."
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Vinous
94"Exhibiting notions of dark berries, blackberries and licorice, the 2022 Tour Saint Christophe is medium to full-bodied and has an enveloping texture with a fleshy core of fruit and powdery tannins leading to a long, rather concentrated finish. This blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc from vines planted on clay-limestone soil is a real success. 92-94 (Antonio Galloni)"
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Jeff Leve
97"(The Cellar Insider) Deep purple in hue, the wine pops with blackberries, black cherries, licorice, flowers, wet earth, and blue fruit on the nose. The palate, is rich, lush, and packed with layers of chalk, black cherries, chocolate, espresso and 5 spice. The finish is creamy, vibrant, and loaded with sweet, ripe, dark red fruits that linger. The wine is made from blending 80% Merlot with 20% Cabernet Franc. 15% ABV, 3.45 pH. The harvest took place September 10-October 3. Yields were 39 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2026-2048. 95-97 Points"
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Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW
93"The 2022 Tour Saint Christophe, 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, is deep garnet-purple in color. It bounds out of the glass with exuberant notions of baked blueberries, juicy black plums, and boysenberry preserves, followed by suggestions of star anise, crushed rocks, and cardamom. The concentrated, full-bodied palate is jam packed with black and blue fruit preserves, framed by velvety tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and spicy. 93-95 The Wine Independent"
Other vintages
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Locations
France
Wine is being produced throughout France and has been done for over 2,500 years with certain Châteaux dating their history back to Roman times, around 6th Century BC. Ranking second in the world in per-capita consumption and first in total production quantity. More so than the overall quantity of wine is the quantity of truly great wines coming out of France makes the nation the envy of wine-making nations worldwide.
Two concepts pivotal to the higher end French wines, in particular, are the idea of 'terroir' and the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system. Terroir refers to the way the geography, geology and climate find their way into the glass, telling a story of the origin of the wine. The AOC was set up in 1935 and has the primary goal of protecting the authenticity of the wines and the livelihoods of the producers. Appellation rules strictly define which varieties of grapes and winemaking practices are approved for classification in each of France's several hundred geographically defined appellations, which can cover entire regions, individual villages or in some cases, like in Burgundy even specific vineyards.
Classic wine regions in France include Champagne (home of Champagne), Burgundy (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot), Alsace (Aromatic varietals), Loire Valley (Chenin Blanc, Crémant) and the Rhône Valley (Syrah, Grenache Mourvedre)
The Bordeaux classification of 1855 is still in use, as is the Sauternes and Barsac Classification of the same year. Wines from certain regions can be bought En Primeur, which is when the wine is sold prior to it being bottled.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux has a rich history of winemaking, dating back to the Roman times. Today, it is known as one of the most significant wine regions in the world, with a reputation for producing complex, full-bodied red wines. The region is home to a diverse range of terroirs, each with its own unique microclimate, soil composition, and grape varieties.
The left bank of Bordeaux is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives in the region's gravelly soils. These wines tend to be bold, tannic, and complex, with notes of blackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco. On the right bank, Merlot is king, producing wines that are softer and fruitier, with notes of plum, cherry, and chocolate.
Aside from the red blends, Bordeaux is also renowned for its sweet wines, particularly from the Sauternes and Barsac appellations. These wines are made using a unique process that involves botrytis, or "noble rot," which concentrates the sugars in the grapes, resulting in a lusciously sweet and complex wine.
Bordeaux's classification system has evolved over time, with some estates moving up or down the ranks depending on the quality of their wines. Today, the system includes five growths, with Premier Cru being the highest and Deuxièmes Crus being the second-highest. There is also a separate classification for the sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac, with Chateau d’Yquem holding the highest rank.
Overall, Bordeaux is a region that continues to captivate wine enthusiasts around the world with its rich history, diverse terroirs, and exceptional wines.
Saint-Emilion
Saint-Émilion, a prestigious and historic appellation located on the right bank of the Gironde river in Bordeaux, France, is a red-wine-only region that has earned a well-deserved spot on the World Heritage List. Although Saint-Émilion is situated inland from the Atlantic Ocean, it still benefits from the moderating influence of the river and the cool, humid climate of the region, which is ideal for cultivating early-ripening grape varieties.
Merlot, the primary grape variety in Saint-Émilion, is renowned for its plump, juicy fruit flavors and velvety tannins, and it is typically blended with Cabernet Franc, which adds structure, tannin, and complexity. Some châteaux also grow small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, which contributes additional depth and richness to the final blend.
Wine styles in Saint-Émilion can range from simple, easy-drinking wines that are perfect for enjoying in their youth to premium Grand Cru Classé wines that are among the most coveted and sought-after in the world. The quality of the wine is influenced by many factors, including location, vine age, and winemaking techniques.
The best wines from Saint-Émilion are characterized by their intense, concentrated aromas and flavors of red and black plums, often accompanied by notes of vanilla and clove from aging in new oak barrels. These wines are typically full-bodied, with high alcohol content and robust tannins, which provide structure and aging potential. Over time, bottle aging will soften the tannins, allowing the wine's rich fruit flavors to fully express themselves.
It's worth noting that Saint-Émilion has its own classification system for Premier Grand Cru Classé and Grand Cru Classé wines, which is updated every decade to reflect the changing quality of the region's wines. This system serves as a benchmark for quality and helps consumers to identify the best wines from this renowned appellation.
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