Xavier Milhade Wines

Château Tour Bayard 2019

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

Globally, 2019 was the warmest year on record. The winter of 2019 was mild, with limited rain and only three days of frost. Spring was mild and temperatures were near-normal for the season, with abundant rainfall at the end of April and again between June 5th and June 18th. Despite the rain, the vineyards remained in a very good state throughout the year. Temperatures remained unseasonably warm with little rainfall leading up to harvest, resulting in concentrated ripeness; the wines are described as having “harmony, balance and freshness” (James Suckling) with “rich fruits, concentration, and plenty of tannins”(Decanter).

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%

Trade Materials

Other Wines by this Producer

Château des Ormeaux

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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.

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Château Montcabrier

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