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The imposing Château de la Tour estate lies at the heart of the 51-hectare Grand Cru Clos de Vougeot. With nearly 5.5 hectares it is the largest owner within the Clos and produces three Grands Crus from it, in three different quality levels. Biodynamic work has been practised here for many years, and the philosophy of largely whole-bunch pressing brings “energy” to the wines. The wines taste fruit-driven, powerful and spicy, with a fine tannic structure.
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Château de la Tour is one of only three buildings within the walls of the Clos de Vougeot and the largest owner in this legendary Grand Cru climat. On 5.48 hectares of vineyard — around 11 to 12 per cent of the entire appellation — the Labet family produces three cuvées from pure Pinot Noir on the monastically marked Cistercian terroir. A walled parcel from 1910 forms the heart of the range. The estate is the only member of the appellation able to carry out harvest, vinification, élevage and bottling entirely within the Clos’s walls — a constellation unique in Burgundy. Today François Labet and his son Édouard Labet run the house.
The château was built in 1890 by a Monsieur Beaudet from Beaune. His daughter married Jean Morin from Nuits-Saint-Georges — a versatile sportsman who in 1948 took part in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Morin’s daughters married into the Labet and Déchelette families. Pierre Labet, grandfather of today’s François Labet, founded along this line the sister estate Domaine Pierre Labet in Beaune. Since 1986 François Labet has been responsible for the wines of both domaines; his son Édouard, the sixth generation, has been active in the business since the mid-2010s. The cellar at the château has been significantly extended in recent years.
Farming has been organic since 1992; official organic certification was achieved in 2021. Biodynamic preparations complement the work. Since the 2009 vintage, Sylvain Pataille has advised the estate — a step described by critics as an important phase of quality development. François Labet controls yields by removing every second bud in spring, producing a well-ventilated canopy and replacing systematic green-harvest. Since 2016 the vines have also been being converted to the Cordon de Royat pruning system, which delays bud-break and reduces the risk of late frost.
Holdings in the Clos de Vougeot cover 5.48 hectares, divided across two main parcels near the château and a smaller, recently replanted parcel on the upper slope at the boundary with Les Échézeaux. At the heart of the estate stands a walled parcel from 1910 of about one hectare, providing the planting material for the Vieilles Vignes and Hommage cuvées. The soil is predominantly argilo-calcaire — with marked variations between the upper (cooler, more mineral) and lower part of the climat (warmer, more fruit-driven).
The grapes are sorted and placed whole-cluster into the fermentation vats, lightly sulphured and cooled to 6 to 7 °C — a roughly one-week cold maceration draws colour and fruit out of the berry skins. The fermentation temperature is then capped at a maximum of 28 to 29 °C. As soon as primary fermentation is complete, the must is moved promptly to barrel to avoid post-fermentation maceration and the hard stem tannins it can bring. Élevage takes place in around 50% new oak for the Cuvée Classique and in 100% new oak for the Vieilles Vignes. All barrels come from Stéphane Chassin, who makes them annually after harvest in order to adapt them to the style of the vintage.
The range consists of three cuvées:
The Vieilles Vignes and Hommage à Jean Morin are long-lived Burgundies that demand at least 15 to 20 years’ patience and can hold over three decades. The Cuvée Classique is accessible after eight to ten years and develops over two decades.
The Guide RVF 2025 lists Château de la Tour with two stars as “Grand domaine de référence” and singles out the Vieilles Vignes cuvée in particular. Neal Martin (Wine Advocate) attested a marked quality lift to the domaine during the 2010s. Vinous rates the Vieilles Vignes regularly in the 92- to 95-point range.
Recent vintages of the Cuvée Classique start between around 130 and 200 euros per bottle, the Vieilles Vignes range from 250 to 450 euros, and the Hommage à Jean Morin — only in exceptional vintages — between 500 and 900 euros. The estate is therefore one of the more highly priced addresses within the Clos de Vougeot.
Anyone wishing to experience the Clos de Vougeot in its greatest depth — and who values an organically certified approach — will find at Château de la Tour a reference that is unique in the region. The Cuvée Classique offers the immediate way into the site; Vieilles Vignes and Hommage are aimed at collectors and long-term cellaring.
Who runs Château de la Tour?
François Labet since 1986, together with his son Édouard Labet, who represents the sixth generation of the family.
How large are the holdings?
Château de la Tour, with 5.48 hectares in the Clos de Vougeot, is the largest owner of this Grand Cru appellation — around 11 to 12 per cent of the entire climat.
What is special about the Vieilles Vignes cuvée?
The cuvée comes from a walled one-hectare parcel planted in 1910. It is made with 100% whole clusters and 100% new oak.
What is the Cuvée Hommage à Jean Morin?
A special bottling in honour of Jean Morin, the Olympian and family ancestor. It has been produced only in exceptional vintages since 2010: at harvest, only the bunch closest to the stock is taken, leading to exceptional concentration.
Is Château de la Tour organically certified?
Yes. Farming has been organic since 1992; official organic certification was achieved in 2021. Biodynamic preparations complement the work.
Who advises the domaine?
Sylvain Pataille has acted as oenological consultant since 2009 — an important factor in the recent quality lift.
How long can Château de la Tour be cellared?
Cuvée Classique 15 to 20 years, Vieilles Vignes and Hommage à Jean Morin 25 to 35 years in great vintages.
As the largest owner and the only producer vinifying inside the walls of the Clos de Vougeot, Château de la Tour is a unique address in Burgundy. Since Sylvain Pataille’s involvement, the estate has secured its place among the genuinely demanding exponents of this often unevenly produced Grand Cru.
