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Château de la Tour Winery Guide
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Last updated: February 29, 2024
Winery Overview
This grandiose, imposing Burgundian Château is a fitting testament to the renown and might of the Clos Vougeot, the largest single Grand Cru vineyard in the Côte de Nuits designation. It is one of the Burgundy wine region’s most historic walled vineyards, created by Cistercian monks in the 12th century. Vougeot was the Cistercians’ flagship vineyard and remained in church hands until the French Revolution took all land belonging to the church in the 19th century. Today, it has many proud owners, including Château de la Tour, which boasts an unparalleled view of the former Cistercian manor. With 6 hectares under their control, Château de la Tour is the largest leaseholder of the Clos Vougeot and has long been renowned for its wine’s intensity, strength, and perfume. Under the Labet family’s careful direction, its reputation has remained strong as one of the most reliable and impressive sources of Clos Vougeot in the Cote de Nuits.
Château de la Tour boasts a long history from the late 19th century. The original building was constructed in 1890 by a merchant whose daughter married a local estate owner, Jean Morin. He was a local legend, famous for his wine and passion for sport; Morin took part in both the Summer and Winter Olympics in 1948. One of his daughters married into the Labet family, who remain the current owners today in the shape of Francois Labet. Francois is one of the region’s most influential figures, producing both the Château de la Tour wines and Domaine Pierre Labet, making great use of the Château’s imposing winery and cellar.
As Clos Vougeot is divided amongst several producers, the inquisitive wine lover can undoubtedly find several good examples of this delicious wine from various outfits. But none can quite match Label’s wines for their finesse and concentration – top vintages will last for decades. His prized possession is one hectare of ancient, low-yielding Pinot Noir vines planted in 1910. The incredible fruit they give is reserved for the estate’s limited edition Vieilles Vignes cuvée, a red Burgundy of dazzling perfume and flavor. However, Labet’s precious vines are treated with the utmost care and attention; the property has been farmed organically since the early 1990s, and yields are strictly controlled to ensure optimum fruit ripeness and quality. This meticulous approach is evident when the excellent taste of the Château’s vintages. There can be no better introduction to the magic of Clos Vougeot than the beautifully crafted wines of Francois Labet. Visit Château de la Tour on our private, exclusive wine tours of Burgundy! Contact us for more information.
Wines produced
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Château de la Tour Bourgogne Rouge
100% Pinot Noir. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. Only natural yeasts are used. The wine remains in vat before being transferred to French oak for approximately 16-18 months. The exact level of new oak and the time in barrel varies depending on the vintage. The entry level wine of the property, accessible on release. -
Château de la Tour Beaune Les Marconnets (White)
100% Chardonnay. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. Only natural yeasts are used. The wine remains in vat before being transferred to French oak for approximately 16-18 months. The exact level of new oak and the time in barrel varies depending on the vintage. A beautiful white Burgundy, perfect with seafood. -
Château de la Tour Beaune Les Marconnets (Red)
100% Pinot Noir. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. Only natural yeasts are used. The wine remains in vat before being transferred to French oak for approximately 16-18 months. The exact level of new oak and the time in barrel varies depending on the vintage. A softer, more approachable red Burgundy. -
Château de la Tour Beaune Les Monsnieres (Red)
100% Pinot Noir. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. Only natural yeasts are used. The wine remains in vat before being transferred to French oak for approximately 16-18 months. The exact level of new oak and the time in barrel varies depending on the vintage. -
Château de la Tour Beaune Les Monsnieres (White)
100% Chardonnay. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. Only natural yeasts are used. The wine remains in vat before being transferred to French oak for approximately 16-18 months. The exact level of new oak and the time in barrel varies depending on the vintage. -
Château de la Tour Beaune Coucherias (Premier Cru)
100% Pinot Noir. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. Only natural yeasts are used. The wine remains in vat before being transferred to French oak for approximately 16-18 months. The exact level of new oak and the time in barrel varies depending on the vintage. A renowned Premier Cru vineyard in the region, the wine is suitable for cellaring. -
Château de la Tour Savigny Vergelesses (Premier Cru)
100% Chardonnay. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. Only natural yeasts are used. The wine remains in vat before being transferred to French oak for approximately 16-18 months. The exact level of new oak and the time in barrel varies depending on the vintage. A lesser known but superb white Burgundy. -
Château de la Tour Clos Vougeot Vieilles Vignes (Grand Cru)
100% Pinot Noir. Whole bunch fermentation, with a pre-fermentation cold soak for one week. Only natural yeasts are used. The must is fermented in stainless steel tanks, and then aged for approximately 16-18 months in 100% new French oak. The prestige wine of the property, suitable for extended cellaring. -
Château de la Tour Clos Vougeot (Grand Cru)
100% Pinot Noir. Whole bunch fermentation, with a pre-fermentation cold soak for one week. Only natural yeasts are used. The must is fermented in stainless steel tanks, and then aged for approximately 16-18 months in 50% new French oak. -
Hommage à Jean Morin Clos Vougeot (Grand Cru)
100% Pinot Noir. Whole bunch fermentation, with a pre-fermentation cold soak for one week. Only natural yeasts are used. The must is fermented in stainless steel tanks, and then aged for approximately 16-18 months in 100% new French oak. A limited release, special addition cuvee.
Winery Contact Details
Château de la Tour
Clos de Vougeot21640, Vougeot, Burgundy
France
Email: [email protected]
Tel +33 0380 62 86 13
Fax +33 0380 62 82 72 Find out more
Facts & Figures
Appellation
AOC Clos Vougeot
Founded
1890
Area under Vine
6 hectares
Age of vines
35 years+
Oak barrel origin
French
Winemaker
Francois Labet
Owner
Francois Labet
Production
24,600 bottles per annum
Grape varietals
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Grape Varieties Used by the Winery
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Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape varietal native to the Burgundy wine region in France and one of the most popular varieties worldwide.
Find out more -
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is a light-bodied red wine varietal closely related to the Vitis vinifera grape and produces the most sought-after red wines in the world.
Find out more
Winery Appellations
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Explore Côte de Nuits: the heart of Burgundy's Pinot Noir excellence. Discover wines of profound depth, ethereal aroma, and unmatched finesse. Read more -
Explore Côte de Beaune's unmatched Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, a testament to Burgundy's winemaking legacy. Experience legendary taste and tradition. Read more
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More information
If you would like us to customize an exclusive luxury tour, contact us and let us know your travel plans. We offer luxury food and wine tours for private groups of a mininium two guests. In addition, all of our private, chauffeured tours are available year-round upon request.
