Saint-Émilion is one of Bordeaux’s most beloved appellations — a picturesque hilltop town surrounded by some of the Right Bank’s finest vineyards, where Merlot reigns supreme and the wines have a richness and generosity that sets them apart from the more austere Left Bank style. Château Tour Baladoz is a well-regarded estate on the limestone plateau, and the 2020 vintage — one of the greatest in Bordeaux for a generation — has given them exceptional raw material to work with. The result is a deeply impressive Saint-Émilion: rich and aromatic, with an enticing nose of mocha, dark chocolate, blackcurrant, and dark plum, underpinned by a lovely earthy complexity and a hint of sweet spice from careful barrel ageing. On the palate it’s elegant and well-crafted, with a lovely silky texture, well-integrated tannins, and a long, lingering fruity finish that speaks clearly of the quality of the vintage and the terroir. Drink now with a good decant, or cellar for another five to eight years for even greater complexity.