Château La Tour Carnet
Château La Tour Carnet
#PROPERTY: History & Terroir
History of Château La Tour Carnet
Château La Tour Carnet, built in the 12th century, has a captivating history intimately linked to the Médoc region of France. Originally, the estate's defensive structure was known as Château de Saint-Laurent. Then, in the 15th century, Jean de Foix, a staunch supporter of the English crown, renamed the château after his loyal squire, Carnet, in recognition of his acts of bravery.
The pinnacle of Château La Tour Carnet's fame came in 1855, when its wine was classified as the fourth Grand Cru, a prestigious recognition of the exceptional quality of its wine production.
Despite the trials and tribulations of the centuries, including vine diseases, wars and economic crises, the history of Château La Tour Carnet took a positive turn in 1972, when Gironde shipowner Louis Lipschitz acquired the estate. Under his leadership, major efforts were made to restore the buildings and replant the vines, breathing new life into the château.
In 1978, Louis Lipschitz handed over management of the estate to his daughter, Marie-Claire Pèlegrin, who devotedly pursued the mission of restoring and preserving Château La Tour Carnet. This positive dynamic continued in 1999, when Bernard Magrez, already owner of the prestigious Château Pape Clément, acquired Château La Tour Carnet. Under his enlightened direction, and with the advice of renowned oenologist Michel Rolland, major renovation work was undertaken on the château itself, as well as in the vineyards, vat room and cellar.
Who is the owner of Château La Tour Carnet?
Bernard Magrez is a renowned French entrepreneur and businessman, particularly involved in the wine business. He owns 42 vineyards worldwide, including 4 Grands Crus Classés, including Château La Tour Carnet, a Grand Cru Classé located in the Médoc region of Bordeaux.
Terroir of Château La Tour Carnet
Château La Tour Carnet, known for its quadrangular tower, boasts a remarkable diversity of terroirs, forming a mosaic of soils with unique characteristics. This diversity offers a varied palette of geological, climatic and topographical conditions, creating an environment conducive to the cultivation of different grape varieties. Today's vines, with an average age of 30 years, flourish at a planting density ranging from 8 to 10,000 vines per hectare.
The grand vin of Château La Tour Carnet, carefully aged for 12 months in oak barrels, 33% of which are new, reveals all the richness of its terroir. The unique composition of the soil, with a base of chalky clay under a layer of Gunzian gravel, creates the famous "butte de La Tour Carnet". To the east, the vineyard lies on a gravelly hilltop, while to the north, it extends over a plateau of fine gravel.
To make the most of the potential of each plot, Bernard Magrez, concerned with the excellence of his wines, has introduced modern techniques to complement his traditional methods, including the use of a drone to meticulously analyze each section of the vineyard, creating a veritable mosaic of terrain. This innovative approach has enabled precise optimization by associating the grape varieties best suited to each type of terrain.
La Butte, an exceptional gateway to Château La Tour Carnet
A concrete example of this adaptation can be seen in La Butte, a specific part of the terroir. Thanks to detailed drone analysis, it has been determined that the Butte is ideally suited to growing Merlot. Soils, sun exposure and other factors influencing grape growth were all taken into account when deciding to plant this specific variety on this plot.
Similarly, the estate's slopes were identified as particularly suitable for growing Cabernets, due to their specific characteristics. The topography of the slopes, combined with variations in soil and climate, creates a microclimate that favors the optimal expression of the qualities specific to Cabernet grapes.
The collection of 75 grape varieties
Faced with current predictions of global warming, with temperatures expected to rise by between 2°C and 4°C by 2050, the Bordeaux wine region faces considerable challenges. The crucial question is whether traditional grape varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc will remain the most suitable for the production of Bordeaux Grands Crus Classés in this changing climatic context.
This calls into question the ability of these grape varieties to thrive and maintain the exceptional quality of the region's wines. Aware of these challenges, Mr. Bernard Magrez took proactive steps by creating a private collection of 75 grape varieties in 2013. The aim of this initiative is to explore and identify grape varieties considered to be the "grape varieties of tomorrow", capable of coping with and adapting to future climatic hazards. By analyzing changes in ripeness, alcoholic strength, acidity, sugar content, etc., we will be able to identify the grape varieties of the future. This collection of grape varieties constitutes a precious plant heritage that enables us to anticipate and prepare the Château La Tour Carnet vineyard for inevitable climatic changes.
By implementing this innovative approach, Bernard Magrez is demonstrating a forward-thinking vision and a commitment to the vineyard's sustainability and adaptability in the face of climatic challenges.
#WINES FROM THE DOMAIN: Appellations and Cuvées
The Haut-Médoc appellation
The Haut-Médoc appellation, nestled on the left bank of the Gironde in Bordeaux, embodies the very essence of prestigious red wines. Famous for its diverse terroir, ranging from gravel to clay, and its moderate oceanic climate. Classic Bordeaux grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, find exceptional expression here, giving rise to elegant wines, rich in fruit, with firm tannins and a remarkable capacity for ageing. Haut-Médoc, with its centuries-old history and its crus classés, remains an unmissable wine jewel, captivating wine lovers the world over.
Discover all our Haut-Médoc appellation wines
Château La Tour Carnet wines
Handcrafted vinification in wooden and cement vats is followed by sixteen months' barrel ageing. This meticulous process gives birth to the famous Château La Tour Carnet wine, where history and tradition blend to perfection.
Château La Tour Carnet White
Château La Tour Carnet Rouge
Les Pensées de La Tour Carnet
Château La Tour Carnet Rouge reveals an aromatic bouquet characterized by pronounced notes of red fruit, licorice, sweet spices (vanilla), and a delicate hint of toasty toast. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and beautifully expansive, with greedy tannins that blend harmoniously, leading to a long, persistent finish.
Château La Tour Carnet Blanc offers a fruity nose accentuated by citrus aromas. On the palate, the wine stands out for its freshness and density, harmoniously balanced with woody nuances. With a limited production of around 4,000 bottles a year.
Les Pensées de La Tour Carnet captivates the senses with a seductive aromatic bouquet, revealing greedy notes of fruit such as blackcurrant, blackberry and cherry. The subtle influence of oak maturation manifests itself in delicate nuances of toast and toastiness, adding an extra dimension to this sensory experience.
The best vintages of Château La Tour Carnet, 2004, 2012, 2020 and grand cru classé 1855
How much does Château La Tour Carnet wine cost?
The cost of Château La Tour Carnet wine can fluctuate according to various parameters such as vintage, cuvée, capacity, etc. If you are considering purchasing Château La Tour Carnet wines online, our site offers a full range of selections with detailed specifications, enabling you to make an informed choice based on your preferences and the specific characteristics of each wine.
What are the opinions on Château La Tour Carnet?
Château La Tour Carnet reviews often reflect the excellence and renown that surround this Médoc grand cru classé. Wine connoisseurs generally praise the aromatic complexity, elegant structure and depth of the wines produced by this historic estate. The age-old reputation of Château La Tour Carnet, combined with its exceptional terroir, helps forge positive opinions among those who appreciate fine Bordeaux wines.
#IN BRIEF: Figures
Region: Bordeaux
Appellation : Haut-Médoc
Surface area : 126 Hectares
Red grape varieties : 53% Merlot, 40% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet franc, 2% Petit Verdot
White grape varieties : 56% Sauvignon blanc, 18% Sauvignon gris, 26% Sémillon
Vine cultivation : Raisonnée