Chateau La Tour de Mons 2018

Compact build, still a little marked by the élevage, but well-structured, with good length as well. Pleasing, can age.

Stylish, with a velvety texture to the mix of crushed plum and blackberry fruit, dried anise and singed alder. Perfumy through the finish, with the fruit showing good depth. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2028. 6,833 cases made.

This shows loads of well-expressed brambly black fruits, fresh and full of juice, with the slaty minerality on the finish that I always love. This should offer good value and there’s no need to wait too long to get going. Small yields at 23hl/ha, and this isn’t an organic estate — the mildew impact was extremely widespread in 2018. 2% Petit Verdot makes up the blend. Eric Boissenot consults.

With a floral edge to the perfume, the wine is ripe, juicy, firm and fresh, with ample, sweet, ripe, earthy red pit fruits and chewy tannins. The wine has nice density and a sweet, juicy mid-palate and finish.

Deep dark ruby, purple reflections, delicate bright rim. Delicate cherry fruit, nuances of plum, subtle herbal savouriness. Medium complexity, red berry touch, vivid, integrated tannins, mineral-salty finish, savoury aftertaste.

The 2018 Château La Tour De Mons is another elegant, classy Margaux that's already showing nicely. Lots of red and black currants, cedar pencil, dried flowers, and earthy tobacco define the bouquet, and it's medium-bodied, with nicely integrated tannins, no hard edges, and an outstanding finish. It's going to evolve gracefully for 15-20 years.

La Tour de Mons 2018 is deep garnet-purple in color. It opens with scents of kirsch, redcurrant jelly, and blackcurrant pastilles, plus hints of spice cake and vanilla. Medium to full-bodied, it is plush and juicy on the palate, delivering a long, spicy finish.

Garnet red with violet highlights. A delicate bouquet with notes of red berries. On the palate, the wine is tasty, balanced, and endowed with perfectly integrated tannins that provide solid support. It can be enjoyed in its youth. Refreshing character, slightly creamy and inviting.

The nose is fresh, fruity, racy, and offers elegance. It reveals notes of ripe/juicy strawberry, juicy/ripe blackberry and, more slightly, blackcurrant, combined with hints of vanilla and flowers, as well as discreet touches of hazelnut (in the background). The palate is fruity and balanced, with good definition, juiciness, gourmandise, a tangy/juicy backbone, precision, and straightness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fleshy/juicy blackberry, fleshy/juicy raspberry, fleshy/juicy black cherry and, more slightly, small red berries, combined with small touches of caramelization, vanilla, toasted notes, racy minerality, and a very discreet hint of graphite. The tannins are well handled.

The estate was hit by frost. This wine comes from a small yield. The palate profile is rather austere, but without harshness. Medium length. Everything changes for this cru from 2020 onward.