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 built on the site. The château, then known as 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, gifted the estate to his devoted squire, Carnet. In tribute to his deeds, the estate then took the name Château La Tour Carnet, a name it has retained to this day.

Over the centuries, many prestigious families have succeeded one another at the helm of the estate, including that of Michel de Montaigne, the celebrated author of the "Essays" and mayor of Bordeaux. It was under the stewardship of the Swedish de Leutken family, in the 18th century, that the château experienced its golden age, culminating in its classification as a Fourth Grand Cru Classé in 1855.

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

Terroirs and Vineyards of Château La Tour Carnet

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

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

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

In 2015, as part of his efforts to combat the effects of climate change, Bernard Magrez planted 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 ripeness, thereby securing the estate's viticultural future.

Winemaking at Château La Tour Carnet

The winemaking process at Château La Tour Carnet combines traditional techniques with modern innovations, ensuring wines of the highest quality that remain true to the identity of the terroir. Each step is carried out with meticulous precision to extract the very best from the grapes.

The harvest is carried out by hand with an initial sorting in the vineyard. Once sorted, the grapes are cooled using a cryogenic tunnel with liquid nitrogen to preserve freshness and aromas. The grapes are transferred to the vats by gravity, minimising oxidation. Fermentation takes place in small-capacity wooden and cement tanks, with entirely manual punch-downs and strictly controlled temperatures of 28 °C.

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

As for the white wine, following a gentle pressing of whole clusters, alcoholic fermentation takes place at low temperature (15–18 °C) to preserve the fruity aromas. Ageing 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 and fleshy, with imposing yet elegant tannins. The 2015 and 2016 vintages are particularly renowned for their aromatic richness, structure and ageing 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 ageing 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 flavours. It is distinguished by its concentration, depth and length on the palate, offering a memorable tasting experience.

Servitude Volontaire

A special cuvée made from 100% Merlot, sourced from vines located in the north-eastern 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 care as the first wine, but is designed to be enjoyed younger, offering a more accessible introduction 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 stands out for its approachable character and balance.

The Haut-Médoc, one of the prestigious appellations of the Bordeaux wine region, is renowned for producing remarkable wines, particularly in its finest vintages. Among the most notable are iconic years such as 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989, and 1990, which have left a lasting impression on fine wine enthusiasts. Other exceptional vintages include 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, each recognised 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 palette of flavours and longevity, reinforcing Bordeaux's reputation as a global benchmark for fine 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 delivers robust crus. In the Haut-Médoc, Château La Tour Carnet stands out, while the renown of Margaux extends with the estates of 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 far more than a wine estate — it is a true historic monument of the Médoc, upheld by a tradition of excellence spanning centuries. Under the visionary leadership of Bernard Magrez, the estate has successfully combined modernity and tradition to produce wines of outstanding quality, recognised the world over. With exceptional terroirs, precise winemaking and iconic cuvées, Château La Tour Carnet is an essential destination for lovers of Bordeaux wines, offering unforgettable tasting experiences.