Château La Tour de Mons 2020

A polished and friendly style, with alluring cassis and plum purée flavors laced with light-handed anise and violet notes. Tasty. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2028.

A majority Merlot in the blend, this feels unforced, with sappy brambled fruits and plenty of hawthorn edging giving fresh acidities. Grilled and bitter tannins on the finish but there is sinew and interest here, and it's a good wine, pretty serious with an attractive edge of smoked cedar. Bought by the team at Marquis d'Alesme in February 2020, this is the first year that they have followed entirely from beginning to end (with the decision taken to keep distinct from Labegorce, as was a question on their purchase, and a full 17ha of vines were pulled up out of 60ha in total, to be replanted over the next 10 years). First time hand harvesting (especially complicated with Covid-19 protocols). 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 3.6pH, 25% new oak. A yield of 32hl/ha.

The 2020 La Tour de Mons, matured in 25% new oak, has quite a perfumed bouquet with brambly red fruit, pressed rose petal, touches of potpourri, all well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with ample tannins, fine acidity, red plum, cranberry and strawberry laced with black pepper and just a touch of tobacco. There is just a subtle chalky texture on the finish. Lovely.

Dried flowers, spice and currants pop up in the bouquet. Medium-bodied, soft, ripe and earthy with a core of chewy, red fruits, licorice and chalky tannins, this is an insiders secret wine from the ever increasingly, expensive appellation that still sells for a very, friendly price. Savvy wine lovers should take a good look at this wine. Drink from 2023-2035.

Another gem of a wine from the talents of Marjolaine de Coninck, who manages all of the Perrodo family vineyards (Châteaux Labégorce and Marquis d'Alesme), the 2020 Château La Tour De Mons checks in as 57% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc, aged in 30% new oak. This medium-bodied, round, absolutely charming and delicious Margaux gives up lots of cedary, spicy herbs, sweet tobacco, and sandalwood nuances, and it's nicely textured, with soft tannins and a great finish. Where most 2020s really demand bottle age, this already offers loads of pleasure. It should keep nicely through 2032.

Kunz barrel sample 2021: fruity, medium-bodied bouquet, red and blue berries, wood, pronounced toasted notes. Firm, medium-bodied palate with sandy tannins, angular structure, light aromatics, dry finish.

Fruity, medium-intensity bouquet with red and blue berries, wood, pronounced roasted notes. Firm, medium-bodied palate with sandy tannins, angular structure, light aromatics, dry finish. 16/20 2025 - 2035

Evident campfire smoke on the nose, and on the opening beats on the palate. Threatens to overwhelm but there is dark brambled fruit behind it, and plenty of tannic architecture and fresh mandarin peel acidity. Good quality, ambitious, can age. A time of change at Tour de Mons also, as this was the first full vintage after the estate changed hands from Credit Agricole Grands Crus to current owner Nathalie Perrodo of Château Marquis d'Alesme. 20% new oak, partly aged in vats, technical director Marjolaine de Coninck.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 La Tour de Mons delivers impactful, classic notes of cassis, cedar, and dried bay leaves with hints of cumin seed, fallen leaves, and fertile loam. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegant and refreshing with fine-grained tannins and a lifted finish.

Very pretty nose of crisp, vibrant fruit with a pinch of white pepper. The palate is elegant, with a silky texture, supple tannins and definite brightness. A fine classic of the appellation.

The nose is very expressive, sublime overall, with a bouquet of red and black fruits. Minty notes mingle to bring freshness. The attack is lively, lithe, and highly seductive. The sapid finish shows cacao and delicate cigar-box notes.