Château La Tour Carnet

History of Château La Tour Carnet

The history of Château La Tour Carnet dates back to 1120, when a medieval fortress was erected on the site. The château, then called Château de Saint-Laurent, played a strategic role for centuries. In the 14th century, during the Hundred Years' War, it became an English property under the House of Foix, marking British influence on the French Atlantic coast.

One of the most significant episodes in its history took place in the 15th century, when Jean de Foix, loyal to the English crown, offered the estate to his devoted squire, Carnet. In tribute to his exploits, the estate then took the name Château La Tour Carnet, a name it has retained to this day.

Throughout the centuries, numerous prestigious families have succeeded one another at the head of the estate, notably that of Michel de Montaigne, famous author of the "Essays" and mayor of Bordeaux. It was under the aegis of the Swedish Leutken family, in the 18th century, that the château experienced its golden age, with its classification as a Fourth Grand Cru Classé in 1855.

In 1999, Bernard Magrez, already owner of Château Pape Clément, acquired La Tour Carnet. With the help of renowned oenologist Michel Rolland, he undertook significant restoration work to restore the estate to its former glory. Under the current technical direction of Frédéric Chabaneau, the Château has undergone spectacular modernization while preserving its historical heritage.

Terroirs and Vines of Château La Tour Carnet

Château La Tour Carnet extends over 190 hectares on the left bank, making it one of the largest classified growths of the Médoc. Located east of Saint-Laurent-Médoc, the vineyard benefits from a mosaic of diversified soils, composed of clay, limestone, and Garonne and Pyrenean gravels, on a limestone subsoil. This diversity of soils is one of the estate's major assets, allowing the production of complex and balanced wines.

The estate pays particular attention to the selection of its grape varieties to optimize their suitability for each plot. The vineyard is planted predominantly with Merlot (56%), followed by Cabernet Sauvignon (39%), Cabernet Franc (4%), and Petit Verdot (1%). This increasing proportion of Merlot, introduced under the impetus of Bernard Magrez, gives the wines of Château La Tour Carnet remarkable roundness and aromatic richness.

For its white wine, the estate created in 2008 a small 2-hectare plot, planted with Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Sauvignon Gris, and Muscadelle. Although these grape varieties are not permitted in the Haut-Médoc appellation, Château La Tour Carnet produces a generic Bordeaux white wine, highly praised for its freshness and elegance.

In 2015, as part of his efforts to combat the effects of climate change, Bernard Magrez established a unique collection of 75 different grape varieties at the Château. This research project contributes to the study of the impact of global warming on grape maturity, thus ensuring the estate's viticultural future.

Vinifications at Château La Tour Carnet

The vinification process at Château La Tour Carnet combines traditional techniques and modern innovations, ensuring high-quality wines that are true to the identity of the terroir. Each stage is carried out with meticulous precision to extract the best from the grapes.

The harvest is carried out manually with an initial sorting in the vineyard. Once the grapes are sorted, they are cooled using a cryogenic tunnel using liquid nitrogen to preserve freshness and aromas. Vatting is done by gravity, thus minimizing oxidation of the grapes. Fermentations take place in small-capacity wooden and cement vats, with entirely manual punch-downs and temperatures strictly controlled at 28°C.

For red wine, maceration lasts between 25 and 32 days, allowing maximum extraction of color, tannins, and aromas. Barrel aging lasts 16 months, with 30% new oak barrels, to refine the tannins and develop subtle woody aromas.

As for white wine, after gentle pressing of whole bunches, alcoholic fermentation takes place at low temperature (15-18°C) to preserve fruity aromas. Aging on fine lees for 8 to 10 months with regular stirring gives the wine a smooth texture and unique aromatic complexity.

The Cuvées of Château La Tour Carnet

Château La Tour Carnet offers several exceptional cuvées, each reflecting the expertise and unique terroir of the estate.

Château La Tour Carnet Rouge - Haut-Médoc Grand Cru Classé 1855

This flagship cuvée of the estate is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is powerful, full-bodied, with imposing yet elegant tannins. The 2015 and 2016 vintages are particularly renowned for their aromatic richness, structure, and aging potential.

Château La Tour Carnet Blanc - Haut-Médoc

Composed of 60% Sémillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc, this exceptional white wine offers beautiful freshness and great finesse. Carefully vinified and aged, it reveals floral and citrus notes, enhanced by aging on fine lees.

La Mémoire de La Tour Carnet

Made from a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, this wine is vinified with particular attention to the balance of flavors. It is distinguished by its concentration, depth, and length on the palate, offering a memorable tasting experience.

Servitude Volontaire

A special 100% Merlot cuvée, from vines located in the northeastern part of the Médoc, this limited production of 500 cases is sold exclusively in Bernard Magrez stores. The wine is particularly rich, velvety, and expressive.

Les Douves de Carnet

The estate's second wine, Les Douves de Carnet, is produced with the same attention as the first wine, but it is designed to be enjoyed younger, offering a more accessible approach to the estate's wines.

La Tour Carnet Cuvée La Bravoure

This cuvée is produced from vines located outside the Haut-Médoc appellation and sold under the generic Bordeaux appellation. It is distinguished by its indulgence and balance.

The Haut-Médoc, one of the prestigious appellations of the Bordeaux wine region, is renowned for producing remarkable wines, particularly during its best vintages. Among the most notable are iconic years such as 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989, and 1990, which have marked fine wine enthusiasts. Other exceptional vintages include 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, each recognized for its balance and depth. More recently, the years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 continue this tradition, with particularly elegant and promising wines. These vintages offer an exceptional range of flavors and longevity, reinforcing Bordeaux's reputation as a world reference in wine.

Discover all the Fourth Grands Crus Classés of Bordeaux, each representing the richness of the great terroirs of the Médoc. In Saint-Julien, explore the wines of Château Beychevelle, Château Branaire-Ducru, and Château Talbot. In Pauillac, Château Duhart-Milon offers wines with the typical character of the appellation, while Château Lafon-Rochet in Saint-Estèphe offers robust wines. In the Haut-Médoc, Château La Tour Carnet stands out, while the renown of Margaux extends with the estates Château Marquis de Terme, Château Pouget, Château Prieuré-Lichine, and Château Saint-Pierre. These estates each reflect in their own way the identity of the Fourth Grands Crus Classés.

Château La Tour Carnet is much more than a wine estate; it is a true historical monument of the Médoc, carried by a tradition of excellence that spans the centuries. Under the visionary leadership of Bernard Magrez, the estate has successfully combined modernity and tradition to produce wines of great quality, recognized throughout the world. With exceptional terroirs, precise vinification, and emblematic cuvées, Château La Tour Carnet is a must for lovers of Bordeaux wines, offering unforgettable tasting experiences.