Built in 1890 within the prestigious appellation of Clos-de-Vougeot (in the no less prestigious Côte-de-Nuits), the Château de la Tour is the most important producer. With its two vintages - classic and old vines - vinified and matured within the Clos itself, it has 6 hectares of Pinot Noir, the emblematic grape variety of Clos Vougeot. With its famous Burgundian neighbours, the appellations of Chambolle-Musigny and Les Echezeaux, Château de la Tour remains an estate in its own right, like a jewel in its case.
Hard-worked by the monks who have shaped the Burgundy landscape, these terroirs have been offering splendid wines for centuries. Since 1986, it is François Labet who has been revealing their treasures, with the help of Guy Accad, as well as Jean-Pierre Confuron and Sylvain Pataille, three renowned oenologists and winemakers.
Planted in brownish clayey soils mixed with clusters of small limestone pebbles, the vines have an average age of 40 to 50 years. The work of the vine has been in organic farming since 1992: transport of the bunches in wicker baskets, sorting and not de-stemming, fermentation with natural yeasts, no pumping system, but by gravity, maturing for 18 months in oak barrels, 50% new.
Internationally recognized for having developed a very diverse aromatic palette, the wines of Château de la Tour have the solid and recognizable backbone of Pinot Noir, with its complexity and nobility. The robe is a purplish garnet red, brilliant and of an intense colour. With a toasted, almost smoked bacon, spices and black fruit nose, the classic Clos Vougeot cuvée proves its racy and typical side. This is followed by aromas of blackcurrant, laurel and sweet spices on the palate. Ample and with a beautiful tannic structure, it can be kept for a minimum of 10 years... As it ages, it will lose spicy and mentholated notes to gain in undergrowth and mushroomy touches.
