Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Fantastic aromas of blackberries, flowers, chalk and blueberries. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Intense and structured. Give it two or three years to soften.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Tour Saint-Christophe comes from Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, the lieu-dit Cassevert, where proprietor Peter Kwok has built some quite startling terraces on the slope to improve the terroir (apparently recruited from Spain as only they possess the technical know-how). My, what a Saint Emilion this is. It has a very well-defined bouquet with crisp, pure mineral-rich red and black fruit. I like the focus here; there is an intention to perform at the top level that comes through where it matters—in the glass. The palate is silky smooth with a fine line of acidity, layers of red cherry and blueberry fruit, leading to a detailed and very satisfying, long finish. This 2014 serves notice of a new, bright kid on the block.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Marked by its historic fortified village—perhaps the prettiest in all of Bordeaux, the St-Émilion appellation, along with its neighboring village of Pomerol, are leaders in quality on the Right Bank of Bordeaux. These Merlot-dominant red wines (complemented by various amounts of Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon) remain some of the most admired and collected wines of the world.
St-Émilion has the longest history in wine production in Bordeaux—longer than the Left Bank—dating back to an 8th century monk named Saint Émilion who became a hermit in one of the many limestone caves scattered throughout the area.
Today St-Émilion is made up of hundreds of independent farmers dedicated to the same thing: growing Merlot and Cabernet Franc (and tiny amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon). While always roughly the same blend, the wines of St-Émilion vary considerably depending on the soil upon which they are grown—and the soils do vary considerably throughout the region.
The chateaux with the highest classification (Premier Grand Cru Classés) are on gravel-rich soils or steep, clay-limestone hillsides. There are only four given the highest rank, called Premier Grand Cru Classés A (Chateau Cheval Blanc, Ausone, Angélus, Pavie) and 14 are Premier Grand Cru Classés B. Much of the rest of the vineyards in the appellation are on flatter land where the soils are a mix of gravel, sand and alluvial matter.
Great wines from St-Émilion will be deep in color, and might have characteristics of blackberry liqueur, black raspberry, licorice, chocolate, grilled meat, earth or truffles. They will be bold, layered and lush.