La Tour de By, one of our must-buys on a tight budget, can trace its history back to 1599 so only for the most recent portion has it been a favourite at Uncorked. Bought in a pretty rundown state by Marc Pages in 1965, he worked hard to improve it until his recent death. That hard work is now continued by his two grandsons, Frederic Leclerc and Benjamin Richer de Forges. The vineyards lie several miles north of St-Estephe on a gravel bank which is the highest point in the Medoc north of Pauillac. Always a well-made wine which repays cellaring, the family price it very reasonably en primeur and, with a prix de sortie just 14% over 2008`s, the 2009 comes highly recommended. Concentrated, with more fruit and less austerity than the 2005, according to Benjamin, it scored a whopping 17 points from Jancis Robinson.
- Producer
- Chateau La Tour de By
- Origin
- Begadan, Medoc, Bordeaux FRANCE
- Colour
- red
- Wine Style
- dry
- Dominant Grape
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Closure Style
- cork
- Maturity
- ready
- Bottle Size
- 75cl
- Case Quantity
- 12
- Alcohol
- 13.5%
- Wine Score
- 16.5 points, Julia Harding, jancisrobinson.com, October 2011
90-92 points, Neal Martin, Wine Journal, Apr 16 2010
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Media Reviews
Julia Harding
Black cherry colour. Smooth but firmly structured. Shows completeness and real presence and length, finishing fresh and elegant. Very good. 16.5 points
Neal Martin
Tasted at Vintex. This Tour de By shows great clarity and definition on the nose with ebullient red-berried fruit, cedar and a touch of tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, very well balanced with good acidity, clean black fruit laced with a touch of cedar, leading to a well defined, classy finish. The usual, slightly under-ripe Tour de By has turned in a winner in 2009. Tasted March 2010. 90-92 points
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