Chateau La Tour de Mons 2023

Expressive, still somewhat marked by oak, with red fruit in the background; light-footed, elegant, lively, well-judged tannins, spicy finish. It will win people over quickly.

Fragrant and lively on the nose. Quite a cool, blue-toned graphite edge to the aromatics. Juicy and sleek, a lovely bright, streamlined wine, chalky and grippy, much more right bank in style with the Merlot on clay and limestone. Clean and clear, nice precision and clarity, still with cranberry and freshly picked strawberry elements. I love the stony grip on the finish. Cool and calm, a little toasted at the end, but nice energy and focus. 4% Cabernet Franc completes the blend.

Forest leaves, tobacco, mint, and red fruits create the perfume. Medium-bodied, soft, sweet, round, and juicy, allow it just a year or two to age, and it will fill out and soften quite nicely. The wine blends 57% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. Drink from 2027-2040.

Grilled oak aromatics, good quality and approachable, sweet red fruits, cloves, raspberry and bramble fruit. Harvest September 13 to October 7, 32hl/h yield, 20% new oak barrels for ageing.

A pretty flash of rooibos tea leads off, with gently mulled red and black cherry and currant fruit catching from behind. Singed sandalwood frames everything nicely. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2032.

The 2023 La Tour de Mons has a well-defined bouquet with blackberry, raspberry and light sandalwood scents that unfold on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins. A bit rustic and perhaps just needing a bit more finesse on the finish, I would afford this a couple of years in bottle.

Pleasant strawberry nuances in the bouquet of Tour de Mons, which also reveals ageing notes. Creamy on the palate, the wine is guided by a slender texture. It unfolds in a linear fashion and benefits from the refreshing lift of its acidic structure. A moreish, mouth-watering wine that deserves a short stay in the cellar to relax.