2020 La Tour de Mons
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Tasting notes
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.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jane Anson, Decanter
More reviews and scores
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.
Laced with cedar and woodsmoke alongside raspbery and blackberry fruits, delivering elegance and finesse. There is more clay-limestone in the soils at Tours de Mons compared to sibling estates Labégorce and Marquis d'Alesme, and it gives a a different personality in the glass, a little less concentrated in its tannic architecture, and accessible earlier. 20% new oak, partly aged in vats, technical director Marjolaine de Coninck.