The Tower Castle
A family estate
Château de la Tour was built in 1890 by the ancestors of the Labet and Déchelette families, who had been established in the Burgundy vineyards since the 15th century. The château's purpose was to house the 1855 and 1886 vintages of Clos de Vougeot, all acquired by an ancestor of the Labet family. At the heart of theCôte de NuitsIt is the only château located within the Clos de Vougeot vineyard, and to harvest, vinify, age, and bottle its grapes within its walls. It has always belonged to the same family, which is also the principal owner of theClos de VougeotIt rises in its upper part, not far from the famous Cistercian manor belonging to the Knights of the Tastevin.
The estate bottled its wine for the first time in the 1930s. The quality of the wines had declined sharply in the 1970s and 1980s, until the young François Labet took over the management of the family estate in 1986, which he still manages today.
François Labet
Traditional know-how
François LabetHe gave Château de la Tour all the glory it enjoys today. He perpetuates a traditional know-how there, closely connected to its unique terroir. Upon his arrival, he called upon Guy Accad, and together they crafted remarkable wines. Subsequently, he was assisted for several vintages by the renowned Burgundian oenologist.Jean-Pierre ConfuronThis only accelerates their progress. Together, they invest heavily to produce great wines. Since 2009, he has been working withSylvain Pataille, bringing the wine to its highest level today. When François isn't travelling the world to promote his wines, he enjoys spending time in his superb vineyard.
Côte de Nuits
A unanimous reputation
The vineyard, certified inorganic farmingSince 1992, the estate has covered almost 6 hectares. The vines, whose sole grape variety is Pinot Noir, are on average 50 years old. The estate harvests its grapes by hand into wicker baskets, allowing the oxidized juice from the few burst grapes to drain. The berries are then sorted but are not destemmed before fermentation. Aging takes place primarily in new oak barrels, imparting high-quality structure and elegant wines.
Château de la Tour produces two vintages ofGrand Cru Clos VougeotThe first is a classic vintage, and the second, made from old vines, is more exclusive and showcases these qualities even more, like the very best. The wines produced by theTower CastleThese Grands Crus, steeped in tradition, are superb. They are among the finest in the Côte de Nuits of Burgundy. They have excellent aging potential, deserving at least 10 years in the cellar. The château now enjoys a unanimous reputation throughout the world.
