Wine Advisor
La Tour Carnet 2006
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Owned by Bordeaux empire builder Bernard Magrez, this estate has been on fire ... qualitatively speaking ... since 2001. The 2006, another top-notch effort, underwent two de-leafings (one in early summer and one a few months later) and two crop-thinnings, which explain the tiny yields. There is also a severe triage after the wine is made. A final blend of 60% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot has resulted in a wine with a lovely perfume of sweet black currants, truffles, incense, and smoke. With sweet but noticeable tannin, medium to full body, brilliant concentration and purity as well as terrific precision and style, this stunning effort is unquestionably a sleeper of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted blind at Southwold -06 Bordeaux tasting. Deep garnet colour. The nose is light and fragrant, black plum and a touch of cassis but lacking a little definition. The palate has a tannic, thrusting entry, firm furry texture with a black plum, cedar and tobacco tinged dry finish, which just takes the shine off a decent Medoc. Not bad-but there are better recent vintages to whet your appetite. Tasted January 2010.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
This is a classy wine. A harmonious cedar inspired nose with black cherries and a touch of iodine. Good definition. The palate is quite toasty with a lot of new oak that will surely meld into the fabric of the wine in 2-3 years. Well-balanced on the palate which has good grip and a succulent blackberry finish. A lot of glycerin for the vintage. Very fine. Tasted April 2007.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
A fabulous sleeper of the vintage, this estate, which has made a succession of brilliant wines under the administration of Bordeaux’s visionary Bernard Magrez, has turned out another terrific effort. A blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this wine exhibits a sensational smorgasbord of aromas ranging from red and black fruits to toasty oak to licorice, high quality cigar tobacco, and spice box. Flavorful and full-bodied, with rich fruit, moderate but sweet tannin, and a long, pure finish, this is a dazzling effort in 2006 that should hit its adolescent stage in about 4-5 years and last for two decades. Excellent value.
About the Producer
The history of Château La Tour Carnet dates back to the 12th century. Indeed, this vast vineyard of 132 hectares is undoubtedly one of the oldest domains of the Medoc. Its architecture is purely medieval as evidenced by the tower, surrounded by moats, which was built in 1120. The domain takes its name from the valiant squire Carnet having fought alongside the lord Jean de Fait: his self-denial and his bravery were such that he received the property in inheritance. Subsequently, the estate belonged to illustrious owners, including the Montaigne family. Since the 2000s, Château La Tour Carnet has been taken over by Bernard Magrez, who has started a restoration and renovation program. Located in the heart of the Medoc, the property has a unique and exceptional terroir, called the “Butte de la Tour Carnet”. It is a visual curiosity but also geological since it is the only clay-limestone mound of the Medoc. The White of La Tour Carnet is one of the rare white wine produced in the Médoc. The estate also produces a white wine. Located in the heart of the Médoc, the property has a unique and exceptional terroir, called the “Butte de la Tour Carnet”. It is a visual curiosity but also geological since it is the only clay-limestone mound of the Medoc. The quality of Château La Tour Carnet’s wines is link to the quality of its terroir of Garonne and Pyrenean gravel. On this type of soil the Merlots flourish particularly well, which explains why half of the Château La Tour Carnet grape varieties are in Merlot. The dominant of this grape gives the wines of the property, a beautiful fruit, flexibility and allows to address them in their youth. During the vinification, the Château team seeks harmony between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in order to have gourmet wines. Thus, the entire harvest is harvested by hand and then vinified in concrete vats for Merlot and in wooden vats for Cabernet Sauvignon. Aging is done in barrels, 50% new, for 18 months to coat and enhance the fruit. Château La Tour Carnet is a wine of great elegance, it is a great Médoc.
