Wine Advisor
La Tour Carnet 2010
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
From their 180 acres, this large estate fashioned a blend of 53% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon and small quantities of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Harvested over a three week period (September 29 - October 17), it is a big, tannic, nearly over-sized wine boasting a dense purple color along with notes of graphite, blueberries, black raspberries and spring flowers. Great fruit on the attack, a powerful, full-bodied mouthfeel and an unusually masculine, muscular style suggest this 2010 will require patience, but it could turn out to be one of the finest La Tour Carnets ever produced. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2045.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A blend of 53% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot cropped at 45hl/ha, this has a well defined, rounded bouquet with blackberry, raspberry coulis and a touch of ripe figs. Very focused and poised. The palate has a pleasant grippy entry, quite bold tannins but very well balanced and the finish is very focused and Pauillac in style, hints of graphite towards the finish. Very fine. Tasted April 2011.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2010 is a blend of 60% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It has a light, slightly leafy bouquet with a touch of mint and dried herbs. The palate is medium-bodied with soft opening. There are light ripe red berry fruit but it is missing a little structure towards the finish. Still, there is plenty of brambly red fruit to be enjoyed here and I suspect it will improve in bottle. Tasted November 2012.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Probably La Tour Carnet’s best since their 2001, the 2010 La Tour Carnet exhibits wonderful ripeness, a dense ruby/purple color, notes of licorice, camphor and some toast as well as lots of black currant and blueberry fruit. It is medium to full-bodied, with attractive sweetness of tannin, good acidity, excellent delineation to its component parts, and a full-bodied, impressively long finish. This wine may close down somewhat, given the moderate tannins, but it seems relatively accessible despite being a 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2035. Another spectacular effort from proprietor Bernard Magrez, this Haut Medoc was harvested very late in 2010. The final blend is 60% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest a small amount of Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Impressive concentration for this appellation with aromas of prunes, plums and black pepper. Full body, with round and velvety tannins and a long finish. Tight. Better after 2015.
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.
