Château Balestard La Tonnelle 1982, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé

Balestard La Tonnelle traces its name to Canon Balestard, a 15th-century clergyman of Saint-Émilion whose vineyard formed the heart of today’s estate. “La Tonnelle” refers to the medieval stone watchtower that still stands among the vines. The label even carries a verse by the poet François Villon, who praised the wines of Balestard in his writings in the 1400s.

1982 was the pivotal modern Bordeaux vintage: warm, generous conditions and perfectly ripe Merlot on the Right Bank drew global attention to the region. This bottle shows the best of that style: texture, fruit, and the balance that lets a wine age with grace rather than weight.

Château Balestard La Tonnelle