2022 Tour St Christophe

The 2022 Tour St. Christophe has a ton of VA on the nose that shrouds the black fruit beneath. A second bottle is called for that has a little more freshness, but there is a bit of brettanomyces evident. The palate is very sweet on the entry, lower acidity, quite powerful, but it lacks precision on the finish. This was a strange showing. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.

This first vintage under the denomination of Grand Cru Classé, the 2022 Tour Saint Christophe is excellent, offering up aromas of spices, cassis, dark wild berries, orange peel and licorice mingled with delicate oaky notes. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and concentrated, it's layered and textured and framed by powdery, velvety tannins enhanced by a racy, pure, fresh finish. It should gain raciness with some time in the cellar.

Spice-laden red and black fruits, leafy tobacco, savory flowers, and new leather notes all shine in the 2022 Château Tour Saint Christophe, another brilliant wine from this team. I love its complexity, and it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, with fine tannins, a layered, elegant mouthfeel, beautifully integrated oak, and a great finish. Based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc brought up in 25% new French oak, give bottles 3-5 years if you can and enjoy over the following 15+.