Location, Location, Location!

Dear Friend,

Last year we introduced a tiny estate from Bordeaux that was located on a small hill, whose neighbors are Chateau Petrus and Cheval Blanc, two wines that sell for $1000 a bottle or more on release! When I was told that the property was located “right across a stream from Chateau Petrus'', I was curiously optimistic. This is a special place with a distinctive blue clay soil, perfect for growing some of the best Merlot and Cabernet Franc in the world. The wine blew me away as soon as the cork came out, with its explosive crushed stone and black fruit aromas and plenty of structure. Here we are a year later and the 2019 vintage is even better! We were able to grab the last cases available of this outstanding vintage, and I can’t think of a better wine on our shelves for under $30.00!

Chateau Tournefeuille has been making wine since the end of the 18th Century. The name itself translates as “Turning Leaf” due to its elevation on the hillside offering a windy exposure. The property was mentioned on a map ordered by King Louis XV in 1783 showing the farmhouse and vineyards. Throughout the years, the property has had many ups and downs and in 1998 Tournefeuille was purchased by childhood friends François Petit and Francis Cambier. Today, Petit’s son Emeric runs the Château. One of the most important wine guides in France, La Revue du Vin de France, said about the most recent owners "their efforts have started to bear fruit… the first vintages of the new century are of a quality that bears no resemblance whatsoever to what was produced there until recently.”

Tournefeuille is located on the right bank of Bordeaux, known for its Merlot dominant blends from the regions of Saint Emilion and Pomerol. The Lalande de Pomerol appellation is just to the north of the much more prestigious appellation of Pomerol. In Lalande de Pomerol the best terroir is found in the commune of Neac, where they have the rich clay and gravel soils - similar to those found in Pomerol. This is the town where Tournefeuille is located. A stream called the Barbanne is the dividing line between these two appellations, Tournefeuille is north of the stream and just to the south is Chateaux Petrus, Gazin, and Lafleur, some of the most sought out wines in the world!

This week, we are pleased to offer Chateau Tournefeuille 2019. This vintage is a blend of about 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, and as the case is always with this property, the nose is sublime but there is also plenty of depth. You will certainly enjoy drinking this now with flavorful foods, but I think it has the potential to age nicely for 10 plus years. The 2019 vintage is certainly the best yet from Tournefeuille, as they continue to make better and better wine. This is a property I would recommend following into the future as barrel samples of the next two vintages look stellar as well.

If you are interested in today’s featured wine, please reply to this email, call your nearest location, or follow the link to order. Curbside pickup or delivery is available. We could only obtain ten cases of this beautiful red from the tiny Lalande de Pomerol appellation. I would recommend buying a few bottles to taste and if you enjoy it as much as I did, have us set aside more for you before they are gone.

Sincerely,

Alek Leontie

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