Médoc Château La Valière Cru Bourgeois 2019

Château la Tour de By

Médoc Château La Valière Cru Bourgeois
2019

Country
France
Regulated designation
Appellation origine controlée (AOC)
Region
Bordeaux
Appellation
Médoc
Classification
Cru bourgeois
Varietal(s)
Cabernet Sauvignon 60 %
Merlot 40 %
Alcohol percentage
13,5%
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
Length of aging
10 years
Producer's website

About this winery

Located in Bégadan, north of the Médoc appellation and close to the Gironde, La Tour de By has very ancient roots. From the 16th century, vines have been cultivated at La Tour de By and the Château's known origin dates back to 1599, when it was acquired by Pierre Tizon, lord of the fief of By. The Tower was built in 1825 on the ruins of a wheat mill, serving as a lighthouse for sailors sailing on the Gironde estuary until the beginning of the 20th century. Alfred Rubichon had the current...

See the Château la Tour de By detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

Château La Valière belongs to the ancient vineyards of Castillon-de-Médoc, formerly known as Saint Christoly-de-Médoc. Shortly before the year 1000, this stronghold had become a major stopover on the road to Santiago de Compostela, and the lords planted one of the Médoc's most important vineyards here. From this superb gravel terrace overlooking the Gironde estuary, we produce this magnificent Cru Bourgeois, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Production notes

Winemaking and aging : They follow traditional winemaking methods of the Médoc, characterized by long fermentations and macerations (3 weeks), followed by 12 months of aging in barrels and vats. They perform a traditional egg white fining before bottling.

Tasting notes

A tight, chewy red with berry, currant and some fresh-herb character. Medium body. Firm tannins. Medium finish.

Press reviews

 Wine Enthusiast

- 91 points -

Roger Voss, January 2018 (Vintage 2015)

Owned by the Pagès family, this rich wine is dense and structured. It has layers of dusty tannins and full black-currant fruit from the 60% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. Drink this firm wine with great fruit from 2023.

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Vinous

- 91 points -

Neal Martin, (Vintage 2018)

The 2018 La Valière has a harmonious bouquet, one that is understated at first but reveals attractive brambly black fruit mixed with cedar and sous-bois with modest aeration. The medium-bodied palate offers fine tannins and crisp acidity. Fresh right from the start with superb salinity on the finish. The is one of the best Cru Bourgeois you will find.

BRAVO!!!

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James Suckling

- 90 points -

(Vintage 2020)

Notes of dark berries, chocolate, some bread crust and dried leafy herbs. Medium- bodied and round-textured with firm tannins and a juicy, fresh mouth-feel. 60 % cabernet sauvignon and 40 % merlot. Can drink now, but better in a year or two.

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Vinous

- 89 points -

Neal Martin, February 2020 (Vintage 2017)

The 2017 La Valière offers ripe blackberry and boysenberry fruit on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins, good grip, hints of liquorice infusing the black fruit with a well defined finish. A bit chunky now, but a couple of years in bottle should see this turn into a fine Cru Bourgeois.

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 Wine Enthusiast

- 88 points -

Roger Voss, May 2020 (Vintage 2017)

This wine's tannins are still prominent, matching the intensity of the black-currant fruit. That suggests it needs some time to age, likely turning into a fruity, perfumed wine from 2022. 

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