Chateau Tour Bayard 2014

A Bright Red Wine from Montagne Saint Emilion with Dark Fruit Aromas

Chateau Tour Bayard, a 10-hectare estate in the Montagne-Saint-Emilion AOC appellation of Bordeaux, has been managed by the Nicoletti family since 1956. Driven by an environmentally friendly approach to viticulture, the team has worked to reduce vineyard treatments as much as possible, thus allowing the wines to more clearly express the characteristics of the terroir. Chemical fertilizers have been replaced by natural compost, guaranteeing a healthy microbiological balance in the soil. The Chateau Tour Bayard 2014 is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, grown on a south-south-east-facing hillside of 7 hectares, characterized by clayey and calcareous soils. The very meticulous work carried out among the vines includes disbudding, leaf-thinning, green harvest and manual harvest and sorting of fruit. The grapes are fermented following a period of cold maceration, with short and regular pump overs and punch downs. The wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.

The Chateau Tour Bayard 2014 offers a bright, vibrant nose with plenty of blackcurrant and other dark fruits, balanced with licorice and sweet spices. On the palate this wine shows a dry backbone of tannins and plenty of acidity, suggesting a good potential for age (another 5 years, at least). This Right Bank Bordeaux red wine is dense and complex, with a pleasant minerality on the finish.