CHATEAU DE LA TOUR

ORGANIC CLOS DE VOUGEOT

“This Domaine possesses by far the most important parcel of the grand cru Clos de Vougeot and has the privilege of being the sole producer that has its winery within the Clos itself. The quality of the grapes in the Vieilles Vignes is exceptional and their vinification in whole bunches, not destemmed, gives a wine of prodigious breeding, worthy of comparison with the greatest Richebourg. The standard cuvee, excellent also, is produced from the much younger vines…” Michel Bettane & Thierry Desseauve, Le Grand Guide des Vins de France, 2008 

The first thing to understand is that Chateau de la Tour has a number of historical advantages over its neighbours in the Clos. The fact that Chateau de la Tour is the largest holder in the Clos, with 6ha, means that it controls a significant chunk of the finest vineyards, mostly on the upper slopes of the Clos surrounding the Chateau (pictured on the label), just below Musigny. Secondly these vineyards are managed organically (very unusual in the Clos) and have been done so for over 20 years! Thirdly, this is the only producer to have its winery within the Clos itself and it is always a quality advantage to be close to your vines. Then there is the age of the vines, for the most part between 60 and 100+ years old, the oldest vines in the Clos. All, this, combined with Francois Labet’s precise, 100% whole bunch winemaking, results in striking, classic wines of great breeding. The Vielles Vignes is one of the most powerful Vougeot’s released each year while the “classique” - fine, pure, intense and long - is one of the finest value Grand Cru Burgundies going around. The second thing to understand is that the traditional, whole bunch fermentation results in structured wines that live for ever and typically require a good decant when served young. They begin showing their best at ten plus years of age. We have minute stocks available of the 2007s and 2006s. The sumptuous 2009 releases have just arrived and are extremely limited. They are the most hedonistic and elegant wines we have ever shipped from this Domaine.