We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
About This Wine
"A moderate application of wood frames the overtly floral and attractive fresh aromas of ripe dark cherry, cassis and soft earth hints. The sleek and delineated flavors possess a supple mid-palate though the youthfully austere finish tightens up quickly. This should be approachable after only 6 to 8 years but reward 12 to 15." 90-93 points, Allen Meadows, Burghound, Issue 61
The Cuvée Classique (as this wine is known) is drawn from the Domaine's parcels on the mid slope of the Clos as well as parcels on the lower and upper parts of the vineyard. There are six parcels in total, which vary considerably in size. The main parcels are situated in the middle of the Clos include the lieux-dits Montiottes Basses, Quatorze Journaux and Quartier Marei Bas (home also to the 1910 planted vieilles vignes parcel). The smallest holdings are those in the Quatorze Journaux and Baudes Saint Martin lieux dits, two parcels at the bottom of the slope that sandwich Etienne Grivot's vines, and La Plante l'Abbé, at the top of the Clos, near the Chateau and the Grands Echezeaux border. These vineyards have been managed organically for well over 20 years and average around 50-60 years of age. 100% whole bunch, no added yeasts and aged in 50% new oak, are the main winemaking specs, with the barrels being fashioned according to each season by Stéphane Chassin in Charente (see below).
This is a super fine, pure and fine Cuvée Classique, wonderfully perfumed, and fleshy. The flowing grenadine and dark cherry fruit is superbly supported by lively, ripe acidity and savoury yet very fine, well integrated tannins. Enormous depth and ferrous mineral notes and even some forest floor complexity creeping through. Stéphane Chassin and Labet have collaborated to fashion an excellent barrel for this vintage, for while present, the wood does not cloud the soaring fruit purity of this year's wine. A great vintage for this wine.
Type | Red Wine |
---|---|
Varietal(s) | Pinot Noir |
Country | France |
Region | Burgundy |
Brand | Chateau De La Tour |
Vintage | 2017 |
Wines from Burgundy
A legendary wine region setting the benchmark for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay worldwide. In the Jurassic time period, the area was part of a vast, tropical sea. Over hundreds of millions of years, the seabed transformed into various layers of limestone, sandstone and clay soils that have entrapped the fossils of ancient sea creatures. These soils are the secret behind the zesty minerality that Burgundy wines are famous for.
Burgundy is probably the most terroir-centric wine region in France. Huge emphasis is placed on the specific vineyard, soil type, elevation, and angle of slope where the wines were made. This is reflected on the wine's labels where appellations are more prominently displayed compared to the producers’ names.
The most prestigious wines of the region come from a long and narrow escarpment called the Côte d'Or split into the Côte de Nuits to the north and the Côte de Beaune to the south. Côte de Nuits produces many of the world’s finest Pinot Noir’s, all but one of Burgundy’s red Grand Crus are made in this area. Whilst interestingly, the opposite is true for the Côte de Beaune where all but one of the Chardonnay Grand Crus are made. From this information it may seem you should be buying a Pinot from the North and Chardonnay from the south, that is only true for the pinnacle of Burgundian wines. Both outstanding reds and whites are produced throughout the Côte d'Or.
In Burgundy, they use a wine quality tier system that goes:
Grand Crus 1.4% of total production
Premier (1er) Crus 10.2% of total production
Appellations Villages 37.3% of total production
Appellations Regionales 51.1% of total production
When one refers to “Burgundy wines” they are usually talking about those produced in and around the Côte d'Or. While the Chardonnay’s from Chablis and the Gamay’s from Beaujolais are formally apart of the Burgundy wine region, those subregions are generally referred to by their own names rather than being considered “Burgundy wines”.