Chateau Tour Saint Christophe 2017

ANTONIO GALLONI: "The 2017 Tour Saint Christophe is a dense, richly constituted wine loaded with tremendous energy and pure power. It is also a bit shut down; so I would prefer to give it a few years in bottle to be at its best. Black fruit, chocolate, leather, licorice and spice build into the potent, virile finish. This is a wine with tremendous promise."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, frische Herzkirschen, dunkle Beeren, ein Hauch von reifen Pflaumen. Frisch, lebendiger Stil, feine Tannine, mineralisch und gut anhaltend, rotbeeriger Touch im Nachhall, ein rassiger Speisenwein."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A spicy, fresh and intense red on the nose with chocolate. Medium to full body and very fine tannins that give a creamy texture. Juicy and long. A blend of 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc. Want to drink it now, but better after 2022."

JEB DUNNUCK: "This estate made a stunning 2017, and I continue to love this wine. A typical blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, the 2017 Chateau Tour Saint Christophe has remarkable purity in its black raspberry and blueberry fruits as well as complex spice, candied violet, spring flower, and cedary herb aromas and flavors. Possessing medium to full-bodied richness, incredible tannins, and flawless balance, it’s already accessible, as are most 2017s, yet is going to shine for 20 years or more."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Bright, fresh, mineral-driven example of TSC. At this young stage, give it an hour of air before the licorice, plum, black cherry, dark cocoa and earthy nuances start to show. Not as powerful or concentrated as the 2016 or 2018, the two surrounding vintages, but it's going to drink well earlier and it sells for a song!"

THE WINEADVOCATE: "Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Tour Saint-Christophe (blended of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc) charges out of the glass with bold notions of dried mulberries, fruitcake and baked plums plus hints of tobacco, iron ore and tilled soil. Full-bodied, the palate is undeniably rich and opulent, yet the freshness injects vibrance and a sense of decorum, supported by plush tannins, finishing on a compelling mineral note. The alcohol here is knocking on 15%, but you wouldn't know it."