2016 Fait-Main ‘Todeschini Asteria’ Grand Cru St Emilion Bordeaux

JD94 Made by Benoit Touquette and coming from the plateau of Saint Emilion, out near Péby Faugères and Valandraud, the 2016 Todeschini Asteria St Emilion Grand Cru checks in as an even split of Cabernet Franc and Merlot that spent 16 months in 65% new oak. It’s an elegant, medium to full-bodied effort that has tons of cassis and black cherry fruits intermixed with notions of ground herbs, graphite, lead pencil, and chocolate. It’s impeccably made, has ample concentration, and as with all of Benoit’s wines, sensational purity of fruit. Drink it any time over the coming 15+ years.
Winemaker Notes; Almost as soon as I met Lionel Kreff, I knew that we should make wine together. It took some time for the pieces to fall into place, but our collaboration finally became reality the same year Lionel’s son—my godson—was born. Together, we would make a St. Emilion Grand Cru from the Asteria Vineyards in St. Étienne de Lisse.
This vineyard site has been growing grapes for more than 500 years. The Todeschini family owns and farms the estate today with sustainable methods that reject synthetic materials, insecticides and herbicides. Our vines are planted on top of a unique plateau in the middle of the historic property. The soils there are incredible… asteria limestone layered on top of molasse rock, with oceans of ancient marine animal fossils trapped in the earth. The diversity of calcareous soil gives the fruit richness and density, with fine minerality at the core.
With power, precision, elegance and complexity, this is a modern wine born of ancient lands… and a testament to friendship and trust.