Château de la Tour Clos Vougeot Grand Cru Cuvée Classique 2019

The Cuvée Classique is drawn predominantly from the domaine's vines situated mid-slope in the Clos de Vougeot, and also from some plots on the lower and upper parts. There are six parcels in total, including the lieux-dits of Montiottes Basses and Quartier Marei Bas (also home to the 1910-planted Vieilles Vignes parcel). The smallest holdings are those in the Quatorze-Journaux and Baudes-Saint-Martin-two parcels at the bottom of the slope which sandwich Etienne Grivot's vines. La Plante L'Abbé is at the top of the Clos, near the château and the Grands-Échezeaux border. All these sites are now pushing an average 70 years of age and have been managed organically for well over 20 years.

As for all the reds here, this was fermented with mostly whole bunches in old concrete vats. It was then aged in barrels which were fashioned, according to the season, by renowned Burgundian cooper Stéphane Chassin. The percentage of new oak for this wine currently hovers between 30 and 50%. Like all Labet's Château de La Tour wines, this was bottled unfiltered.

"The 2019 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru unwinds in the glass with aromas of sweet berries, raw cocoa, loamy soil and incense. Medium to full-bodied, deep and elegantly muscular, it has lively acids, powdery tannins and a classically balanced, youthfully reserved profile. It's a touch finer-boned and more vibrant than its 2018 counterpart at the same stage." 92-94+ points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

"Dense purple black. The nose has gone missing for the moment, perhaps a bit hidden by the wood. This shows again at the back of the palate. But it will not be bottled for 6 or 7 months yet and will doubtless fall into place. The quality of the wine is very good. Gracious, mouth-filling, dark fruit with some alpine raspberry notes." 92-96 points, Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy

Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Sub Region: Vougeot