Médoc Château La Valière Cru Bourgeois 2017

Château la Tour de By

Médoc Château La Valière Cru Bourgeois
2017

Country
France
Regulated designation
Appellation origine controlée (AOC)
Region
Bordeaux
Appellation
Médoc
Classification
Cru bourgeois
Varietal(s)
Cabernet Sauvignon 60 %
Merlot 40 %
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
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

Ideally located on two gravel ridges well exposed between the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, the terroir benefits from an ideal microclimate which allows the noble grape varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to express all their qualities. Tillage is traditional, systematically rejecting the use of chemical fertilizers and using only natural compost.

Production notes

Traditional vinification in Médoc, characterized by long fermentation and maceration (3 weeks) before aging for 12 months in barrels and oak tuns.

Tasting notes

Deep red in color with garnet reflections presents a traditional Bordeaux bouquet of cassis accompanied by carefully toasted aromas. The mouth, full and round, continues on a finish with supple and silky tannins. A real pleasure !!! Pairings with Bordeaux flank steak, grilled vegetables and duck breast.

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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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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