Xavier Milhade Wines
Château Tour Bayard 2016
Montagne-Saint-Émilion
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
2016 was another exceptional vintage throughout Bordeaux, but quite different from 2015. The spring was cool and wet, followed by a warm summer and fall featuring even temperatures. The resulting wines are ripe and precise, with mature tannins and great length. As in 2015, there is great fruit concentration and the wines are appealing young. 2016 is again a real success at for Tour Bayard, with masses of blue fruits framed by touches of vanilla and spice. The 2016 here is a little more structured than the 2015, so a little more patience is advised. The 2016 confirms Tour Bayard as the clear quality leader in Montagne.
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
Alcohol
14.5%
Reviews
Vinous - January 24, 2019 “The 2016 Tour Bayard is powerful, deep and intense, with tons of earthy and savory character that gives the wine its distinctive feral profile. Iron, smoke, game and cured meats are some of the many notes that add complexity to this deep, flavorful Montagne Saint-Émilion. The 2016 finishes with real substance and a level of complexity that belies its humble appellation. Tasted two times.”
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Château des Ormeaux Lalande-de-Pomerol
Lalande-de-Pomerol
Nestled under the stewardship of Julien Richard, a dedicated third-generation winemaker and the husband of Elodie Milhade (also the proprietor of Château Tour Bayard), this estate flourishes with a commitment to sustainability.
Château Recougne
Bordeaux Superieur
Chateau Recougne has produced wine for more than 400 years,and has been recognized for nearly as long for producing outstanding wine - its name is said to have come from King Henri IV in the early 17th century, in “recognition” of the quality of its wine. This wine offers pure Bordeaux unadulterated and pure.
Château Recougne Blanc
The Milhade family has been landowners in Bordeaux for three generations and currently own six properties in the right bank regions of Saint-Émilion, Lussac- Saint-Émilion, Lalande-de-Pomerol, and Bordeaux Supérieur. Their wines represent both amazing value in Bordeaux and the beautiful results that can be achieved by small family estates focused on producing high quality wines. The wines are marked by wonderful, expressive fruit and retain an authenticity and soulfulness.
Château Boutisse
Purchased in 1996, the Milhade family have invested enormously in the vineyards and facilities at Boutisse and, above all, with their energy. Today Boutisse is no longer a surprise - dynamic young winemaker Marc Milhade has transformed this estate into an outstanding Saint-Emilion, with ripe, structured and engaging character.
Château Montcabrier
Château Montcabrier is a selection parcèllaire from the Milhade family’s estate, Château Recougne. This property has produced wine for more than 400 years, and has been recognized for nearly as long for producing outstanding wine - its name is said to have come from King Henri IV in the early 17th century, in “recognition” of the quality of its wine. The Milhade family purchased the property in the early 1950s, and Recougne has become their flagship estate, producing quintessential pure Bordeaux each vintage – classic “claret” in the best sense of the word. Montcabrier is a produced in the same manner as Recougne, but from younger vines and parcels giving more forward, fruity wines
