Domaine Pierre Labet

The Domaine Pierre Labet is the Beaune-based sister estate of Château de la Tour in Clos de Vougeot. On around 10 hectares of vineyard, the Labet family crafts a deliberately classical range from Beaune Premier Cru, Savigny-lès-Beaune, Meursault and Gevrey-Chambertin, in both red and white. The seat of the house is in Beaune; cellar work and vinification take place in the facilities of Château de la Tour within the walls of Clos de Vougeot. The domaine is led by François Labet and his son Édouard Labet.

Founding and family

The roots of the Labet family in Beaune reach back to the 15th century. The seat of the domaine is the Bastion Notre Dame, a fortification built in 1642 in the Beaune town wall, in which Édouard’s grandparents already lived. Pierre Labet, the namesake, was Édouard’s grandfather. Today François Labet leads both family estates — Pierre Labet and Château de la Tour — since 1984 under a unified philosophy. His son Édouard, the sixth generation, is now an equal partner in the business.

Philosophy and stylistic approach

François Labet converted the domaine to organic farming in 1992 and, since 2015, has additionally introduced biodynamic practices. The Pinot Noir cuvées are all vinified with 100% whole clusters — a deliberate choice in favour of a perfumed, fresh, sappy style. Yields are managed through early bud selection rather than later green harvest.

Vineyards, sites and terroir

The range is clearly divided between red and white:

Red wines

• Beaune 1er Cru Coucherias – 1.37 ha
• Beaune Clos Dessus des Marconnets – 1.23 ha
• Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes – 0.89 ha

White wines

• Beaune 1er Cru Coucherias – 0.54 ha, supplemented by a newly planted parcel on reclaimed land
• Savigny 1er Cru Vergelesses – 0.5 ha (grubbed up in 2020 for replanting)
• Meursault Tillets – 1.2 ha
• Beaune Clos Dessus des Marconnets – 1.76 ha

Vinification and cellar work

The wines age two winters in barrel. After the first year they are moved from barrel to tank or to used oak — reducing the intensity of the new oak. Vinification takes place in the cellars of Château de la Tour. Édouard and François Labet have, since 2014, set up an operational base in Beaune that makes the geographical distance of the individual parcels more manageable.

Key wines and style

Stylistically, Pierre Labet combines a perfumed, fresh Pinot Noir line with a full-bodied, mineral-fresh Chardonnay profile. The Meursault Tillets is one of the sites above the village with clearly defined acidity and a lightly smoky mineral character. The Beaune 1er Cru Coucherias offers, in both red and white, the most direct link between house style and Beaune terroir.

Ageing potential

The wines age well: Beaune Premier Cru red and Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes at least eight to twelve years, Meursault Tillets and Beaune Premier Cru white at least six to ten years. Naturally, depending on the vintage, considerably longer is also possible.

Awards and critical reception

Pierre Labet is solidly rated by Wine Advocate, Vinous and Inside Burgundy, with particular recognition for the biodynamic work and the consistent whole-cluster vinification of the reds.

Market prices and price development

Beaune Premier Cru in red and white trades in the current vintage between around €60 and €120 per bottle, the Meursault Tillets between €90 and €150, the Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes between €80 and €130. The domaine thus offers overall attractive value within the classical Côte d’Or range.

Buying guidance

Anyone wishing to experience Burgundy in its geographical breadth — Beaune, Savigny, Meursault, Gevrey — from one hand, and who values consistent organic/biodynamic farming, will find a coherent range at Pierre Labet. The cuvées offer direct access to the Labet family style before moving on to the more prestigious Château de la Tour.

FAQ

Significance within the wine world

Domaine Pierre Labet is the Beaune-based half of the Labet family, which is otherwise perceived in the more prominent role as the largest owner of Clos de Vougeot. It offers an accessible, geographically varied Burgundy range from a biodynamically farmed family address.