Château Tour Baladoz – 2012 – Saint Emilion Grand Cru

Medium deep ruby-red colour, still with a youthful purple hue. Beginning to lose some of that youthful intensity. Fine nose here. There is an elegant toastiness, fine oak. Almost like some roasted nuts. I think this is starting to approach some kind of maturity. I pick up a slight hint of black truffle that I adore. A lot of sweet, wild berry fruit, with dark plum. Good bite on the palate here, very generous fruit, high ripeness, but no jamminess. It is really about sweet wild berries, with a good level of freshness. There are some spicy hints of pepper, liquorice. Wood is well-integrated as well. Long and juicy finish. Quite high level of extract but finely grained, nothing is harsh or angular today. This is very approachable and enjoyable. With this structure, it will certainly go on for quite a few years.

Tasted by the Best Sommelier of the World, Andreas Larsson.