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Château Tour Bel-Air 2015 Montagne-St.-Émilion AOC

Château Tour Bel-Air 2015 Montagne-St.-Émilion AOC

91 Points
James Suckling
91 Points
James Suckling

Mission Codename Barn find

Here’s an analogy from the collector car world to explain today’s deal – what we have here is a true barn find! While the 2018 Bordeaux vintage is in full bloom in the current market, VERY FEW 2015s remain undiscovered, or under-discovered shall we say… as if it was locked up in a forgotten barn in the middle of nowhere, when we pulled the cork on this completely under the radar red, the whole room filled with oohs, and aahs, and aromas of old school Bordeaux done right.

Vivid garnet with a deeper ruby heart, resonating with a brick to crimson hue on the wide lip. Spice, chocolate, and earth join cassis, blackberry, and espresso on the subtly intense perfume of the classically endowed nose. Big, rich and loaded on the palate with fruit and texture, it offers ample pleasure and considerable elegance. Cool, red-fruited, menthol, sage and tobacco-driven notes wrap it all up on the characteristic finish, lingering persistently. Small game birds, from pheasant to quail to duck, grilled or smoked, would work wonderfully as pairings, for starters though a Bordeaux like this is typically super easy to pair with much else.

In his final vintage assessment for 2015, James Sucking acutely nails it; “the best appellations of 2015 are Pomerol and St.-Émilion, the latter’s limestone plateau on which the small, picturesque town is nestled, was ground zero for some of the stars of 2015.” As often is the case, this statement also hints at the satellites of St.-Émilion, such as Montagne - a stone’s throw to the north - where the truly astounding values hide. We may have found one of the best of these! At $19 a bottle, this little discovery will take you to the storied Right Bank, on a virtual journey through the neighborhood of thousand-dollar bottles nearby and save you a chunk of change. You’re welcome.

Here’s what the wine press has to say:

91 Points – James Suckling - “Aromas of blackcurrants and cherries with hints of dried flowers, which follow through to a medium body. Firm, silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Linear and tight for the appellation. Better in 2020.”

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What the Winery Says 2015 Montagne-St.-Émilion AOC

Château Tour Bel-Air
Château Tour Bel-Air
Winemaker
Yoann Ripoche
Varietals
70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage
2015
Appellation
Montagne-Saint-Émilion, Libourne, Bordeaux
Soil type
Clay-limestone and sand over clay
Vineyard area
18 hectares
Average vine age
28 years
Alcohol
14%
Aging
12 months in 20% new French oak

About the Winery Château Tour Bel-Air

Château Tour Bel-Air Winemaker Yoann Ripoche
Château Tour Bel-Air Winemaker Yoann Ripoche
Château Tour Bel-Air 2015 Montagne-St.-Émilion AOC 750ml Wine Bottle
Offer Expired Feb 15, 2020 at 11:59 pm
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Château Tour Bel-Air 2015 Montagne-St.-Émilion AOC 750ml Wine Bottle
Offer Expired Feb 15, 2020 at 11:59 pm
Register to get notified when this wine is back in stock:
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