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Xavier Milhade Wines

Château Tour Bayard 2020

Montagne-Saint-Émilion

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Château Tour Bayard is a recent addition to the Milhade portfolio, coming into the family through marriage. This 25 acre property in the St.-Émilion Satellite Montagne-St.-Émilion has been run by the Richard family since 1956, and is now regarded as one of the top estates in the appellation.

 

VINEYARD

The soils here are a mix of clay and limestone marl, and the vineyard is planted in a beautifully situated natural amphitheater with an ideal southerly exposure. Merlot is the predominant variety, accounting for 80% of the vignoble, complemented by Cabernet Franc and Malbec; the vines are about 40 years old on average. The Richard family works the soils organically, eschewing pesticides and other chemical treatments. The Malbec is generally bottled as a separate cuvée.

WINEMAKING

At harvest, the grapes are 100% destemmed and crushed before being placed in temperature controlled vats. Each parcel on the estate is vinified separately, and the wine is raised for 12 months in a combination of cement tanks (60%) and new and second fill barrels (20% each). The finished wine is supple and full-bodied, with excellent ripeness, and refined aromatics from the Cabernet Franc. The wine is then aged in a combination of cement vats and first and second use barriques for 12 months.

VINTAGE

A rainy winter followed cool spring weather and inconsistent flowering, but the summer weather was dry and warm with even temperatures through harvest. A little August rain helped the vines mature and kept acidities fresh. Bordeaux’s Right Bank did exceptionally well, and Merlot and Cabernet Franc were particularly successful. The wines are rich, full, and savory, with ripe acidity and round, sweet tannins – an excellent vintage for the cellar, which nonetheless can be enjoyed young for its exuberant fruit.

TASTING NOTE

Tour Bayard is relatively modern in style, with refined tannins, punchy fruit, and seductive aromas enhanced by malolactic fermentation in barrique.

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot

Appellation

Montagne-Saint-Émilion

Farming

Since 2018, our 3 estates are all certified “High Environmental Value” Level III. This highest level of certification affirms our commitment and guarantees our management of numerous environmental parameters.

Alcohol

14.5%

Suggested Retail Price

$25

Reviews

91

"Tobacco, earthiness, leather"

Vinous - March 1, 2023 "The 2020 Tour Bayard is just as compelling from bottle as it was en primeur. Bright, savory and super-expressive, the mid-weight Tour Bayard is a terrific model of classicism. Time in the glass brings out hints of dark cherry, tobacco, earthiness and leather. Fine but persistent tannins lead into the nervy, vibrant finish. Terrific." -A.G 12/22

91

"Generous character, rich"

Wine Enthusiast - June 27, 2023 "This is a powerful wine with ripe tannins and spice from wood aging. It has a generous character, rich and full of black fruits." -R.V 6/26

(91-93 )

"Dried mint, red roses and spice box

Wine Advocate (91-93) - November 1, 2023 "The 2020 Tour Bayard has a deep purple-black color, bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of crushed black cherries, juicy blackberries and chocolate-covered cherries, followed by hints of dried mint, red roses and spice box, plus a touch of tobacco leaf. The medium to full-bodied palate is elegant and plush, delivering soft-spoken earthy notes to accent the black fruit layers, finishing fragrant." -L.P.B 5/21

Trade Materials

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Château Tour Bayard Bottle Shot

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