Chateau de la Tour

History of Château de la Tour

Founded in 1890 by the Beaudet family, Château de la Tour is intimately linked to the history of Clos de Vougeot, a vineyard created by Cistercian monks in the 12th century. After the French Revolution, the Clos lands, confiscated from the Church, were divided in 1889. Monsieur Beaudet, ancestor of the Labets, was one of the first buyers, acquiring a significant parcel. His daughter married Jean Morin, an Olympic athlete and local figure, thus linking the Labet and Déchelette families to this heritage. Since the 15th century, the Labets have been cultivating vines in Burgundy, and their estate remains an uninterrupted family property to this day.

In 1986, François Labet took over the reins of Château de la Tour, breathing new life into the estate. Accompanied by renowned oenologists such as Guy Accad, Jean-Pierre Confuron and, since 2009, Sylvain Pataille, he restored the estate to its former glory. The 1970s-1980s had seen the quality of the wines decline, but under François' direction, Château de la Tour reached new heights, gaining international recognition. Today, together with his son Édouard, he perpetuates a winemaking heritage where tradition and innovation intertwine to offer wines of rare finesse, available for purchase by connoisseurs worldwide.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Château de la Tour

Château de la Tour dominates Clos de Vougeot, holding 5.5 hectares of this legendary Grand Cru, approximately 12% of the appellation. Its vines, mainly planted with Pinot Noir, extend over two main parcels: one near the château and another at the heart of the vineyard, complemented by two small parcels at the bottom of the slope and one at the top, recently replanted. The average age of the vines, around 70 years, includes an exceptional hectare of old vines planted in 1910, which is the source of the Vieilles Vignes cuvée.

Certified organic since 2021, the estate has adopted respectful practices since 1992, incorporating biodynamic preparations such as herbal teas produced on-site. Viticultural work follows lunar cycles, and François Labet favors rigorous pruning to limit yields, avoiding green harvesting. The harvests, carried out by hand in wicker baskets, allow selective sorting to retain only the ripest berries. This meticulous care of the terroir guarantees grapes of optimal quality, revealing the complexity and richness of Clos de Vougeot in each bottle available for purchase.

Vinification at Château de la Tour

Vinification at Château de la Tour is a model of artisanal precision, respecting the heritage of the Cistercian monks. The grapes, harvested whole without destemming, are carefully sorted on a vibrating table to eliminate any defects. Fermentations occur naturally thanks to indigenous yeasts, without adding sulfur until bottling. The estate adopts a minimalist approach: no fining, no filtration, and gentle pressing to preserve the purity of the fruit.

Aging, lasting approximately 18 months, takes place in oak barrels, with a proportion of new wood adjusted to each vintage (50% for the Classique cuvée, 100% for the Vieilles Vignes and Hommage à Jean Morin). The juices are moved by gravity to avoid any aggression, and punch-downs are traditionally done by foot, ensuring delicate extraction. This non-interventionist philosophy allows the wines of Château de la Tour to fully express the quintessence of their terroir, offering refined and elegant cuvées, ideal for enthusiasts wishing to purchase an exceptional Burgundy wine.

The Cuvées of Château de la Tour

Château de la Tour offers three prestigious cuvées, each reflecting a unique facet of Clos de Vougeot. These wines, available for purchase, are jewels for lovers of great Burgundy Grand Crus.

Cuvée Classique

The Cuvée Classique is the most faithful expression of Clos de Vougeot, made from different parcels vinified and aged separately before final blending. This wine, accessible from its youth, captivates with its serious structure and fruity maturity, with notes of sloe, leather and fresh earth. Its spicy depth and silky texture make it a perfect choice for discovering the elegance of Burgundy Pinot Noir. Ideal for accompanying refined dishes, this wine is a must-have for any quality wine purchase.

Cuvée Vieilles Vignes

From one hectare of vines planted in 1910, the Cuvée Vieilles Vignes embodies the complexity and power of Clos de Vougeot. This rare wine, produced in limited quantities (approximately 2,400 bottles), offers remarkable density, with crisp tannins and an aromatic palette blending floral (rosewood, cinnamon) and fruity notes. Its finesse and elegance unfold over time, rewarding those who wait before opening it. For collectors wishing to purchase an age-worthy wine, this cuvée is a treasure.

Cuvée Hommage à Jean Morin

Reserved for exceptional vintages, the Cuvée Hommage à Jean Morin, created in 2010 to celebrate the centenary of the old vines, is the estate's pinnacle. Made from the first grapes of each vine in the 1910 parcel, it uses 80% whole cluster and 100% new oak barrels. Its spicy nose (pepper, smoke) precedes a voluptuous, vertical and persistent palate, with an imposing structure. This wine, which requires at least ten years of aging, is a masterpiece for enthusiasts seeking to purchase an exceptional wine.

Château de la Tour is a guardian of the history and terroir of Clos de Vougeot. Under the direction of François and Édouard Labet, this family estate perpetuates an ancestral know-how while adopting modern and environmentally respectful practices. Its cuvées, from the accessible Classique to the exceptional Hommage à Jean Morin, offer a unique tasting experience, marked by the elegance and power of Pinot Noir. For Burgundy wine enthusiasts, purchasing wines from Château de la Tour means acquiring a piece of history and refinement. Discover these exceptional Grand Crus and let yourself be seduced by the magic of Clos de Vougeot.