Description

“This is a well-crafted, hedonistic Saint Emilion made with style.” Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate April 2016 Owned by the De Schepper family since the 1950s, this relatively little-known 9 hectares property lies in the commune of St-Laurentdes-Combes, just 3km southeast of St Emilion. Near neighbours include Château Troplong Mondot and the superlative Tertre Roteboeuf, and Tour Baladoz offers a wine that expresses its origins as precisely as these two famous peers. Château “Valados” first appeared in Le Producteur in 1841 and was included in the first edition of Cocks and Feret (Bordeaux and its Wines) in 1850, under the name of Baladoz . From 1874 to 1922, the estate was known as Château Baladoz until a tower was erected and adopted into the name. In certain parts, vines are grown at an altitude of up to ninety metres, almost the highest in the appellation, with more vines planted on the clay and limestone plateau that dominates the estate. The vines average 30 years of age, 70% are planted on the plateau and 30% on the slopes. Over the years, the De Schepper family have invested hugely in both the vineyards and the cellar, so that now the quality of the wine really does offer an authentic and high quality expression of this fine site. Matured for 12-15 months in 50% new oak and made from vines with an average age of 30 years.

Rich with enticing notes of mocha, dark chocolate, earth, blackcurrants, dark plums and sweet spice. Aromatic with a lingering, fruity finish, this is an elegant and well-crafted wine.