ESTATE 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.

WINE Tour Bayard is relatively modern in style, with refined tannins, punchy fruit, and seductive aromas enhanced by malolactic fermentation in barrique. Merlot is the predominant variety, accounting for 80% of the vignoble, complemented by Cabernet Franc and Malbec.

VINEYARD Soils: Clay and limestone marl Farming: The vineyard is planted in a beautifully situated natural amphitheater with an ideal southerly exposure; the vines are about 40 years old on average. The Richard family works the soils organically, eschewing pesticides and other chemical treatments.

WINEMAKING Variety: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc Fermentation: 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. Aging: In a combination of cement vats and first and second use barriques for 12 months Alcohol: 14.5%

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 NOTES Tour Bayard is relatively modern in style, with refined tannins, punchy fruit, and seductive aromas enhanced by malolactic fermentation in barrique.