Chateau La Tour Carnet Haut Medoc Bordeaux, Complete Guide

chateu-la-tour-carnet

Learn everything about Chateau La Tour Carnet Haut Medoc, Fourth Growth, producer with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairing tips. Learn the best vintages, a history of the property and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau La Tour Carnet History, Overview

Chateau La Tour Carnet, owned by Bernard Magrez, is one of the oldest Bordeaux wine producers that has remained continually active in the entire Bordeaux appellation. The chateau is also one of the oldest structures in the region.

In fact, some parts of the building, specifically the round tower, date all the way back to the 11th Century. At the time, it was a fortress that was inhabited by the English as early as the 12th Century. What we know of as Chateau La Tour Carnet today, was an important fort that was used by the military as an outpost in Bordeaux.

The chateau of La Tour Carnet is one of the few remaining Bordeaux estates to have a working moat and drawbridge. Originally, the property went under the name of Chateau de St. Laurent.

The land eventually fell to French rule. After centuries of war, the ruined property passed through the hands of a succession of owners, before it was obtained by Charles de Leutken. Chateau La Tour Carnet remained with the Leutken family for generations.

The current owner of La Tour Carnet is Bernard Magrez. Magrez is the proprietor of a number of other Bordeaux estates, most notably Chateau Pape Clement in Pessac Leognan. Bernard Magrez bought the estate from the Pelegrin family in 1999.

Additionally, Bernard Magrez owns numerous other Bordeaux estates including Fombrauge in St. Emilion. One of the first things Bernard Magrez did after taking over Chateau La Tour Carnet was to increase the size of the vineyards.

When the property was first taken over by Bernard Magrez, the estate had only 44 hectares of vines. By 2018, their holdings had increased to 190 hectares.

Chateau La Tour Carnet is now one of the largest vineyards in Bordeaux and they are also one of the top producers in the Haut Medoc appellation area today.

Chateau La Tour Carnet Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The massive 190 hectare Left Bank vineyard of La Tour Carnet is the largest of all of the 1855 Classified Growths. The vines are well placed in the Haut Medoc appellation.

They are not far from some of the top vineyards in the St. Julien appellation like Chateau Lagrange. The vineyard is planted to 56% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, marking an increase in the Merlot.

The percentage of Merlot planted in the vineyard has increased since it was purchased by Bernard Magrez. The majority of the vines are in one massive parcel, which is unusual for the region.

The terroir of La Tour Carnet is gravel, clay, and limestone soils with gentle, rolling slopes. They are inland, between the 2 main roads, the D2 and the D1. The vines are on average 30 years of age.

The vineyard is planted to a vine density that ranges from 8,000 to 10,000 vines per hectare. The newer plantings are down at the higher levels of vine density. The humongous vineyard is divided into a whopping 304 separate parcels with a range of terroirs, as the vineyards are spread among 6 divergent communes.

To produce the wine of La Tour Carnet, the grapes are whole berry fermented, after being cooled to 8 degrees Celsius in a cryogenic tunnel by using liquid Azote, which is a type of nitrogen gas.

Vinification takes place in a combination of large wood vats and stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat. Between 85% to 90% of the wine is aged in on average, 60% new, French oak barrels.

The remaining 10-15% of the wine is aged in large, clay, amphora. The aging period is on average about 18 months before bottling.

La Tour Carnet Chateau

Chateau La Tour Carnet added a dry, white Bordeaux wine to their portfolio in 2008. The grapes come from a small, 2-hectare parcel of vines. For the white wine, the vines are planted to 33% Sauvignon Blanc, 33% Semillon, 29% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Muscadelle.

However, the actual blend for the white wine can vary widely. The vines are planted in a cooler terroir with more limestone in the soils. As you can see, Bernard Magrez is a fan of Sauvignon Gris. In fact, Bernard Magrez also includes the grape as a large part of their blend for use in Chateau Pape Clement Blanc as well.

Because white wine grapes are not allowed by law in the appellation, the wine is sold as a generic AOC Bordeaux Blanc. On average, close to 75,000 cases of Chateau La Tour Carnet are produced each vintage.

The best vintages of Chateau La Tour Carnet are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009 and 2005.

Bernard Magrez also produces a special Cuvee from 100% Merlot from the vineyards of La Tour Carnet called Servitude Volontaire. The vines are located in the northeast portion of the Medoc, close to St. Seurin. The tiny, 500 case production of Servitude Volontaire is sold exclusively at retail shops owned by Magrez in Bordeaux as well as in Paris.

Servitude Volontaire made its debut in 2003. Starting with the 2010 vintage, Chateau La Tour Carnet began taking anti-counterfeiting measures using the Intaglio method of bottle etching coupled with Spottag, which adds an invisible ink on the labels.

There is a second wine, Les Douves de Carnet. The estate also produces wine from vines located outside the Haut Medoc appellation, La Tour Carnet Cuvee La Bravoure, which is sold as a Medoc Bordeaux wine. As you should expect from the size of the vineyard, almost 75,000 cases of wine, (900,000 bottles) are produced here each year!

In addition, Chateau La Tour Carnet maintains one of the largest vineyards devoted to a myriad of experimental and heritage grape vines totaling almost 80 different grape varieties. A small cellar with micro-sized barrels, and tanks as small as 100 liters are used to vinify all the different grape varieties.

When to Drink Chateau La Tour Carnet, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau La Tour Carnet needs time before it can be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for an average of 1 -2 hours or so. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Chateau La Tour Carnet is usually better with at least 5-7 years of bottle age. Of course, that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage character. Chateau La Tour Carnet offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 5-15 years of age after the vintage.

Serving and Decanting Chateau La Tour Carnet with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau La Tour Carnet is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. The wine of Chateau La Tour Carnet is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes.

Chateau La Tour Carnet is a perfect match with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as a wide variety of hard and soft cheeses.

La Tour Carnet maintains one of the strongest research programs in Bordeaux, focusing on the potential, future problems Bordeaux will face, due to continuing climate change.

Much of this is due to the fear that eventually it will become too warm for the Merlot grape. Experiments are taking place with various different grape varieties and clones to protect the heritage and quality of Bordeaux wine.

www.bernard-magrez.com

Château La Tour Carnet Wine Tasting Notes

23 Vintages 126,606 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2022
92
Blackberries, black cherries, flowers, tobacco leaf, cedar, and espresso nuances form the core of this wine. On the palate, the wine is creamy, lush, round, and packed with sweet, juicy, dark red fruits with notes of espresso and chocolate that come through on the finish. The wine blends 59% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc. You can enjoy this in its youth. Drink from 2025-2040. 91-93 Pts.

Blackberries, black cherries, flowers, tobacco leaf, cedar, and espresso nuances form the core of this wine. On the palate, the wine is creamy, lush, round, and packed with sweet, juicy, dark red fruits with notes of espresso and chocolate that come through on the finish. The wine blends 59% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc. You can enjoy this in its youth. Drink from 2025-2040. 91-93 Pts.

2,528 Views   Tasted
2022
92
Flowers, spicy green apples, and pomelo form the character of this forward, sweet, fresh, white Bordeaux. This will be ready to go on release for all of its fruit and freshness. The finish serves up more of those tart Granny Smith apples and fresh lemons. Drink from 2024-2028. 92-92 Pts.

Flowers, spicy green apples, and pomelo form the character of this forward, sweet, fresh, white Bordeaux. This will be ready to go on release for all of its fruit and freshness. The finish serves up more of those tart Granny Smith apples and fresh lemons. Drink from 2024-2028. 92-92 Pts.

1,572 Views   Tasted
2021
92
Green apples, white peach, and floral notes pop in the nose. The palate, with its fresh, lively core of green apples and ginger has a nice, brisk, citrus and spice finish. Drink from 2024-2028.

Green apples, white peach, and floral notes pop in the nose. The palate, with its fresh, lively core of green apples and ginger has a nice, brisk, citrus and spice finish. Drink from 2024-2028.

119 Views   Tasted
2021
91
Black cherries, espresso and chocolate are the theme of the day here. Round, generous, and polished, the glossy finish delivers a juicy mouthful of black cherries spice and chocolate in every sip. Drink from 2024-2037.

Black cherries, espresso and chocolate are the theme of the day here. Round, generous, and polished, the glossy finish delivers a juicy mouthful of black cherries spice and chocolate in every sip. Drink from 2024-2037.

131 Views   Tasted
Espresso, smoke, incense and dark plums on the nose and in the lush, round, polished, fruity palate. You can enjoy this in its youth. Drink from 2023-2037. 89-91

Espresso, smoke, incense and dark plums on the nose and in the lush, round, polished, fruity palate. You can enjoy this in its youth. Drink from 2023-2037. 89-91

1,394 Views   Tasted
2020
92
Dark garnet in color, the wine pops with its show nose of espresso, smoked currants, licorice, and barbecue aromas. The wine is ripe, round and lush with a full, rich, polished wave of black cherries and cocoa that come through easily on the mid-palate and in the finish. Drink from 2024-2045.

Dark garnet in color, the wine pops with its show nose of espresso, smoked currants, licorice, and barbecue aromas. The wine is ripe, round and lush with a full, rich, polished wave of black cherries and cocoa that come through easily on the mid-palate and in the finish. Drink from 2024-2045.

1,794 Views   Tasted
Smoke, espresso, licorice, mesquite, black and red currant aromas appear in the perfume. The palate is lush, round, ripe and rich with smoky black cherries, bitter cocoa and black plums. The finish is powerful, full and almost muscular, leaving you with a big gulp of black fruits. 91-93 Pts

Smoke, espresso, licorice, mesquite, black and red currant aromas appear in the perfume. The palate is lush, round, ripe and rich with smoky black cherries, bitter cocoa and black plums. The finish is powerful, full and almost muscular, leaving you with a big gulp of black fruits. 91-93 Pts

1,757 Views   Tasted
2019
92
Honeysuckle, green apples, pears and lemon rind with a touch of vanilla are the perfect backdrop for the fresh, crisp, juicy, vibrant, palate. The finish serves up more of those Granny Smith apples and lemons. Drink from 2022-2029.

Honeysuckle, green apples, pears and lemon rind with a touch of vanilla are the perfect backdrop for the fresh, crisp, juicy, vibrant, palate. The finish serves up more of those Granny Smith apples and lemons. Drink from 2022-2029.

788 Views   Tasted
Light in color, the lemon, lime vanilla is fun to nose. On the palate, the wine is sweet, filled with honeysuckle, candied grapefruit and lemon peel. The wine was made from blending 60% Semillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc. 91 Pts

Light in color, the lemon, lime vanilla is fun to nose. On the palate, the wine is sweet, filled with honeysuckle, candied grapefruit and lemon peel. The wine was made from blending 60% Semillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc. 91 Pts

3,526 Views   Tasted
2019
92
Espresso, blackberries, smoke, licorice and cocoa open the wine. Here you find a full-bodied wine with polished tannins and layers of round-textured fruits giving way to a supple finish packed with fruit and a touch of oak. The wine is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot. Drink from 2024-2039.

Espresso, blackberries, smoke, licorice and cocoa open the wine. Here you find a full-bodied wine with polished tannins and layers of round-textured fruits giving way to a supple finish packed with fruit and a touch of oak. The wine is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot. Drink from 2024-2039.

2,600 Views   Tasted
Full-bodied with layers of blackberries, espresso, smoke and tobacco leaf on the nose and palate. The chocolate-covered blackberry and cassis in the endnote keeps on going, which is a good thing. The wine was made from a 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. 91-93 Pts

Full-bodied with layers of blackberries, espresso, smoke and tobacco leaf on the nose and palate. The chocolate-covered blackberry and cassis in the endnote keeps on going, which is a good thing. The wine was made from a 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. 91-93 Pts

2,544 Views   Tasted
2018
93
Licorice, espresso, chocolate, plums, black cherry and jam pop up with little effort. The wine is full-bodied, rich and fleshy with length and loads of ripe, dark red fruits in the lush finish.

Licorice, espresso, chocolate, plums, black cherry and jam pop up with little effort. The wine is full-bodied, rich and fleshy with length and loads of ripe, dark red fruits in the lush finish.

3,320 Views   Tasted
The oak feels dialed back, which is a good thing as now, you can enjoy all the ripe, round, fresh, juicy, dark red berries, soft tannins and ripe, red berry, smoke, coffee bean and earthy finish. 91-93 Pts

The oak feels dialed back, which is a good thing as now, you can enjoy all the ripe, round, fresh, juicy, dark red berries, soft tannins and ripe, red berry, smoke, coffee bean and earthy finish. 91-93 Pts

6,981 Views   Tasted
2018
91
With a nice jolt of lemony freshness, you also find pomelo, vanilla and yellow tropical fruits. This will be perfect on release and over the next few years. The wine was made from blending 60% Semillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc.

With a nice jolt of lemony freshness, you also find pomelo, vanilla and yellow tropical fruits. This will be perfect on release and over the next few years. The wine was made from blending 60% Semillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc.

1,530 Views   Tasted
2017
91
Light in color, this wine offers lemon peel, herbs and licorice on the nose. In the mouth, you find fresh yellow citrus fruits and a trace of honey that remains with you through the crispy finish. The wine was made from blending 60% Semillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc.

Light in color, this wine offers lemon peel, herbs and licorice on the nose. In the mouth, you find fresh yellow citrus fruits and a trace of honey that remains with you through the crispy finish. The wine was made from blending 60% Semillon and 40% Sauvignon Blanc.

2,056 Views   Tasted
2017
91
Smoky, deep red fruits, espresso, tobacco, oak and wet earth are easy to find here. Round, forward, open and almost ready, give this a few years in the cellar to further develop.

Smoky, deep red fruits, espresso, tobacco, oak and wet earth are easy to find here. Round, forward, open and almost ready, give this a few years in the cellar to further develop.

3,197 Views   Tasted
Scarlet hued, this wine offers an earthy, smoky, forest and blackberry profile. On the palate, this is fleshy, voluminous and smooth with fresh, dark red fruits, licorice and strong notes of toasty oak in the finish.

Scarlet hued, this wine offers an earthy, smoky, forest and blackberry profile. On the palate, this is fleshy, voluminous and smooth with fresh, dark red fruits, licorice and strong notes of toasty oak in the finish.

3,928 Views   Tasted
2016
91
Deeply colored, this is already showing off its round, concentrated, lush, display of ripe, dark, sweet, ripe fruits, smoke, licorice, dark chocolate and espresso.

Deeply colored, this is already showing off its round, concentrated, lush, display of ripe, dark, sweet, ripe fruits, smoke, licorice, dark chocolate and espresso.

3,702 Views   Tasted
Dark in hue with loads of fruit, density and a fruity, concentrated, round textured, fleshy finish.

Dark in hue with loads of fruit, density and a fruity, concentrated, round textured, fleshy finish.

4,508 Views   Tasted
2015
91
Much better from the bottle than from the barrel, the round textured, forward wine provides a plummy, licorice, espresso and dark cherry nose. Polished, lush, ripe fruits, licorice and espresso complete the experience.

Much better from the bottle than from the barrel, the round textured, forward wine provides a plummy, licorice, espresso and dark cherry nose. Polished, lush, ripe fruits, licorice and espresso complete the experience.

4,436 Views   Tasted
With 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, the wine is full bodied, showing espresso bean, smoke, licorice, vanilla, spice and black cherries. Round, open and flashy, the wine finishes with dark chocolate and spicy, dark red fruits. 87 - 89 Pts

With 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, the wine is full bodied, showing espresso bean, smoke, licorice, vanilla, spice and black cherries. Round, open and flashy, the wine finishes with dark chocolate and spicy, dark red fruits. 87 - 89 Pts

3,031 Views   Tasted
2014
89
Full bodied, round, forward and a touch oaky at this stage, with a large dose of licorice, coffee and black cherry in the finish.

Full bodied, round, forward and a touch oaky at this stage, with a large dose of licorice, coffee and black cherry in the finish.

3,457 Views   Tasted
Leaning oaky, this lush, sweet wine has low acidity, good concentration and a forward, ripe, fruit filled style with a modern leaning. This will drink well young. The wine was made from a blend of 59% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. 89-90 Pts

Leaning oaky, this lush, sweet wine has low acidity, good concentration and a forward, ripe, fruit filled style with a modern leaning. This will drink well young. The wine was made from a blend of 59% Merlot, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. 89-90 Pts

3,771 Views   Tasted
2013
86
With espresso, oak, sweet black raspberries and cherry, this wine serves up a modern style of Bordeaux that shows too much wood for the vintage. 85-88 Pts

With espresso, oak, sweet black raspberries and cherry, this wine serves up a modern style of Bordeaux that shows too much wood for the vintage. 85-88 Pts

3,061 Views   Tasted
2012
89
Smoke, oak and sweet ripe fruits, with an open, forward, sweet, black cherry, vanilla character, that is ready to drink.

Smoke, oak and sweet ripe fruits, with an open, forward, sweet, black cherry, vanilla character, that is ready to drink.

6,802 Views   Tasted
Oaky and modern, which is not a bad thing, but the wine is too oaky and too modern in his vintage as the wine is suffering from too much extraction with its dry, tart and green finish. 85-88 Pts

Oaky and modern, which is not a bad thing, but the wine is too oaky and too modern in his vintage as the wine is suffering from too much extraction with its dry, tart and green finish. 85-88 Pts

4,909 Views   Tasted
2011
90
Oak, truffle and black cherry scents with plush, fat textures and a sweet, ripe, oaky, black cherry finish. This will be fun to drink young. 90-91 Pts

Oak, truffle and black cherry scents with plush, fat textures and a sweet, ripe, oaky, black cherry finish. This will be fun to drink young. 90-91 Pts

5,687 Views   Tasted
2010
90
La Tour Carnet Oak, spice, cassis, earth and mocha scents open to a powerful, concentrated tannic wine with the structure to age well. There is some dryness in the finish. 89-91

La Tour Carnet Oak, spice, cassis, earth and mocha scents open to a powerful, concentrated tannic wine with the structure to age well. There is some dryness in the finish. 89-91

7,932 Views   Tasted
2009
92
Modern in style, this Merlot dominated, deeply colored wine opens with a perfume filled with coffee, licorice, black and blue fruit and chocolate. Concentrated, fleshy and flashy, produced from a blend of 53% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, this delicious Haut Medoc needs a few years before the oak fully integrates.

Modern in style, this Merlot dominated, deeply colored wine opens with a perfume filled with coffee, licorice, black and blue fruit and chocolate. Concentrated, fleshy and flashy, produced from a blend of 53% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, this delicious Haut Medoc needs a few years before the oak fully integrates.

8,815 Views   Tasted
2008
89
From a blend of 52% Merlot and 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is still on the oaky side with coffee bean, vanilla, licorice and black cherry notes in the aromatics. Soft, round and forward, while not complex, it's fun and already easy to drink.

From a blend of 52% Merlot and 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is still on the oaky side with coffee bean, vanilla, licorice and black cherry notes in the aromatics. Soft, round and forward, while not complex, it's fun and already easy to drink.

3,705 Views   Tasted
2006
90
Still just a bit oaky, but over the years, the wine has better integrated the wood. Full-bodied, round and with some firm tannins, the wine offers loads of black fruit, thyme and tobacco on the nose and palate.

Still just a bit oaky, but over the years, the wine has better integrated the wood. Full-bodied, round and with some firm tannins, the wine offers loads of black fruit, thyme and tobacco on the nose and palate.

4,422 Views   Tasted
2005
90
Cigar box, tobacco, black raspberry, medium bodied, soft and ready for business.

Cigar box, tobacco, black raspberry, medium bodied, soft and ready for business.

4,501 Views   Tasted
Dark in color, this powerful wine offers pungent aromas of blackberry, cassis, truffle, earth, tobacco, coffee and blue fruit. Ripe, tannic and a little rustic, this robust, Bordeaux wine needs at least another 5-8 years in the cellar before it softens and comes together.

Dark in color, this powerful wine offers pungent aromas of blackberry, cassis, truffle, earth, tobacco, coffee and blue fruit. Ripe, tannic and a little rustic, this robust, Bordeaux wine needs at least another 5-8 years in the cellar before it softens and comes together.

7,719 Views   Tasted
Not much in the way of elegance. But there is gobs of fruit as well as tannin. Give this beast at least 10-15 years before popping a bottle.

Not much in the way of elegance. But there is gobs of fruit as well as tannin. Give this beast at least 10-15 years before popping a bottle.

3,612 Views   Tasted
2004
88
Still oaky, with licorice, tobacco and black fruits. Round textured and easy to drink, this is probably not going to get much better with age.

Still oaky, with licorice, tobacco and black fruits. Round textured and easy to drink, this is probably not going to get much better with age.

2,771 Views   Tasted