Château La Tour Carnet 2009

Characteristics and tasting advice for Château La Tour Carnet 2009

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a deep, intense purple hue, revealing dark ruby highlights typical of a beautifully concentrated wine.

Nose

The bouquet opens with mineral notes of charcoal and chalk, alongside toasty nuances. The aromatic profile then reveals ripe black fruits, notably blackcurrant and black cherry, enhanced by touches of blueberry and blackberry liqueur. Aromas of white chocolate, vanilla and licorice complete this complex aromatic expression.

Palate

The attack is dense and fleshy, with a lovely body. The tannins, exceptionally ripe and integrated, structure the palate with elegance. The silky texture is paired with remarkable balance between fruity richness, natural acidity and tannic structure. The finish offers impressive persistence, with mineral and woody notes that linger harmoniously.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with roasted or grilled red meats, game and duck confit. It also complements aged hard cheeses, as well as richly prepared mushroom dishes, with elegance. More surprisingly, it matches harmoniously with certain fatty fish such as grilled tuna and some spicy Asian preparations.

Serving and cellaring

Château La Tour Carnet 2009 is ideally served between 16 and 17°C. Decanting for 60 to 90 minutes allows the wine to fully reveal its bouquet. This vintage can be enjoyed until around 2035.

A 4ème Grand Cru Classé from Haut-Médoc with a voluptuous character

The estate

With origins dating back to the 12th century, the Château La Tour Carnet is one of the oldest in the Médoc. The estate takes its name from its tower, built in 1120 and encircled by moats. As early as 1407, vines were planted on the estate. Owned by Bernard Magrez, this property was awarded Cru Classé status in 1855.

The vineyard

The Château La Tour Carnet vineyard benefits from an exceptional location on the highest hill in the Haut-Médoc. The soils form a true mosaic of terroirs, combining Gunzian gravel over a clay-limestone base. This geological diversity gives the wine its complexity and unique character.

The vintage

The 2009 vintage represents an exceptional year for Bordeaux. After a dry, sunny spring that encouraged early, even flowering in early June, the vineyard experienced a succession of warm periods and moderate drought, punctuated by beneficial rainfall. Véraison took place at the end of July in relatively dry conditions, while ripening was completed thanks to warm weather in August and September. The harvest, from September 29 to October 22, took place in remarkably dry, favorable conditions, allowing grapes to reach outstanding phenolic ripeness.

Vinification and aging

Château La Tour Carnet 2009 benefited from sophisticated fermentation and aging techniques, producing exceptionally ripe, integrated tannins. Barrel aging helped develop the wine’s aromatic complexity while preserving its balance and natural freshness.

Grape varieties

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.