Driving through Bordeaux’s Haut-Médoc, it’s easy to spot Château La Tour Carnet. The immense iron gates and tower are visible for miles. Stopping in front of the estate, we’re transfixed by the view — feeling as if we’ve crossed a time warp and dropped into the 12th century.
A late-model Mercedes pulls up beside us, breaking the spell. The driver motions for us to go in as the gigantic gates slowly creak open. In front of the venerable Château, our escort introduces himself — Philippe Magrez, owner of the estate. Leading us across the drawbridge over the moat, he confirms: “Indeed, the tower dates back to the 1100’s, but come inside and I’ll tell you the story, over a few glasses of good wine.”
Philippe Magrez, introduces us to the wines and history of Château La Tour Carnet. Photo by Marla Norman.
Once Upon a Time…
Château La Tour Carnet’s storybook appearance belies a very long, complicated, sometimes violent history. The original castle was built in 1120 — officially making La Tour Carnet the oldest estate in the Médoc. A few decades later, all of Bordeaux was placed under English rule when the French Queen Aliénor d’Aquitaine (Eleanor of Aquitaine) married King Henry II of England in 1152.
By the 13th century, the estate belonged to the noble house of Foix, a family closely allied to the English crown. During this period, the first official wine harvest was documented in 1252.
The Foix family still owned La Tour Carnet in 1337, when early conflicts between the French and English broke out in what was to become the Hundred Years’ War. As the French became more resentful of English rule, the battles intensified and grew deadly. Jean de Foix was captured while fighting the French and imprisoned for seven years. Eventually he agreed to pay a huge ransom for his release. When he returned to his Château, however, the property was in ruins — only the tower, which still stands today, was left.
After de Foix’s death, Jean de Carnet was awarded the estate by the French monarchy and named the property after himself. Château La Tour Carnet passed through an endless number of owners from that point on. One of the better known occupants was the sister of legendary French philosopher and writer Michel de Montaigne, who also served in the Bordeaux Parliament in 1557 – 1563.
A tribute to legendary French philosopher and writer Michel de Montaigne, who frequented La Tour Carnet when his sister was a resident in the mid-1500s. Photo courtesy of Château La Tour Carnet.
Charles Oscar de Luetkens was in charge of the estate during the Classification of 1855. Château La Tour Carnet was listed as one of ten Quatrièmes Crus (Fourth Growths) and a Grand Cru Classé. The property consisted of 52-hectares (128 acres) at the time.
By the late 1800s, the Luetkens family was still in charge and La Tour Carnet produced wine from 60 hectares (148 acres) on an estate that was spread across a total of 300 hectares (741 acres) — the largest property among classified estates in Bordeaux. La Tour Carnet was also awarded gold medals at the Expositions Universelles in Paris in 1889, Lyon and Anvers in 1894, Bordeaux and Amsterdam in 1895.
One of the beautifully restored sitting rooms at Château La Tour Carnet. Photo courtesy of the Magrez Family.
But disaster struck in 1860, when phylloxera ravaged vineyards across Europe. Like many estates, La Tour Carnet suffered immensely and was ultimately abandoned for almost 100 years.
Finally, in 1972, Louis Lipschitz, a local shipping magnate, bought the estate, replanted the vineyards and did much to restore the castle. Lipschitz later bequeathed Château La Tour Carnet to his daughter Marie-Claire Pèlegrin in 1978. She continued her father’s work and added to the vineyards until there were once again an impressive 45 hectares (112 acres). Marie-Claire’s husband, Guy François Pèlegrin, was very much involved in managing the estate and even recognized for inventing a rotary sorting table. Then tragically, Guy François was killed in 1988 — asphyxiated by carbon dioxide in the cellars.
In 1999, Marie-Claire sold the property to wine magnate Bernard Magrez (father of Philippe Magrez) who at that time was already the proprietor of a number of other wine estates, most notably Château Pape Clément in Pessac-Léognan and Château Fombrauge in Saint-Émilion.
A Medieval knight keeps watch at the entrance of La Tour Carnet’s cellars. Photo by Marla Norman.
Under Bernard Magrez, the Château has been gloriously restored. The grounds are finely manicured. The cellars haven been completely modernized. The vineyards have been dramatically expanded — now at 75 hectares (185 acres).
Back in the 21st Century
After sharing the Château’s remarkable history, Philippe Magrez guides us through the vineyard, winery and cellars. The plots are planted 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc. On average, the vines are 24 years old. White varietals represent only 2% of the entire vineyard. Of those 33% are Sauvignon Blanc, 33% Semillon, 29% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Muscadelle.
Of particular interest is a unique and exceptional terroir, called the “Butte de la Tour Carnet”. Philippe explains that this is the only clay-limestone mound of the Médoc. On this type of soil, the Merlots flourish particularly well, which is why half of the Château La Tour Carnet vineyards are planted in Merlot.
Another large parcel of land is devoted to a collection of 75 different varietals as part of an experiment to address climate change. As temperatures continue to increase in Bordeaux and around the world, oenologists are concerned that the traditional varietals planted for decades will not be suitable. The purpose of the Tour Carnet experiment is to identify grape varieties which would thrive in hotter and drier conditions.
A collection of 75 different varietals are being tested on the estate as part of an experiment to address climate change. Photo courtesy of Château La Tour Carnet.
Touring the cellar, we’re immediately struck by the beautiful flooring and chandeliers — typical of all Magrez properties. Here the Grand Vin will go into oak for up to eighteen months depending on the vintage, with half in new barrels. The second wine will see an élevage lasting fifteen months.
Dîner avec les Nobles
Returning to the Château, we visit other rooms, including the salons and bedrooms. Then Philippe leads us into a spectacular dining room, where we’re served a deliciously crisp 2020 La Tour Carnet Blanc. After a few toasts to our host, we enjoy foie gras and candied fruit.
The main course is a duck fillet in a wine reduction with roasted carrots and turnip purée — savory and rich. A 2009 Château Magrez-Fombrauge, fragrant and smokey, with truffle, cherry and allspice notes, pairs beautifully with the fillet.
Grand dining room at Château La Tour Carnet. Photo by Marla Norman.
Dessert is a beautifully floral, lush 2015 Sauternes, from the Magrez property Clos Haut-Peyraguey. A roasted pear with Tonka caramel accompanies the wine. We sit back, savoring the exquisite wine and luxurious setting — relishing our time as aristocrats.
But, eventually, reality forces us back into the present. Philippe escorts us across the drawbridge once more, but reminds us that Château La Tour Carnet is also a bed & breakfast. “You’re welcome to return any time,” he says reassuringly.
As we drive through the massive gates, we’re already checking calendars for another possible visit to the 12th century with all the conveniences of the 21st… and really great wine!
Here is our selection of Château La Tour Carnet wines and additional selections from Magrez Family estates Château Pape Clément and Château Fombrauge. Also available is a list of new arrivals in large formats and half-bottles. Linked products can be ordered directly online. For more information, write mthibaultwine@gmail.com or call 850-687-1370.
Château La Tour Carnet
2009 La Tour Carnet. RP-92. $59.99.
2018 La Tour Carnet. AG 90-93. $49.99.
2019 La Tour Carnet. JS 93-94. $39.99
Château Pape Clément
2010 Pape Clément. RP-100. $259.99
2014 Pape Clément Rouge. JS-96. $94.99.
2015 Pape Clément Rouge. JS-99. $119.99
2016 Pape Clément Rouge. JS-98. $119.99.
2017 Pape Clément Rouge. JS-96. $89.99
2017 Pape Clément Blanc. JS-96. $134.99
2018 Pape Clément Rouge. JD-99. $129.99
2018 Pape Clément Blanc. JS-98. $134.99
2019 Pape Clément Rouge. JD-98. $89.99.
2018 Clémentin de Château Pape Clément Rouge. JS-94. $46.99
2018 Clémentin de Château Pape Clément Blanc. WE-93. $41.99
2019 Clémentin de Château Pape Clément Blanc. JS-93. $41.99
Château Fombrauge
2015 Magrez Fombrauge. $119.99
2018 Magrez Fombrauge Rouge. JD-95. $119.99.
2019 Fombrauge. JD 93-95. $29.99.
NEW ARRIVALS – in Large Format & Half Bottles
MAGNUMS – 1st Growths & Grand Cru Classé A
2015 Cheval Blanc. WA-100 WE-100. $1,749.99
2010 Cheval Blanc. JD-100 JS-100 WA-100 WE-100. $2,169.99
2018 Figeac. WE-100. $599.99
2018 Lafite Rothschild. WA-100 WE-100. $1,999.99
2001 Mouton Rothschild. JS-94. $1,689.99
2003 Mouton Rohschild. RP-95+ $1,619.99
2008 Mouton Rothschild. DC-96. $1,539.99
2011 Mouton Rothschild. JS-96. $1,199.99
2012 Mouton Rothschild. WE-97. $1,369.99
2016 Mouton Rothschild. JD-100 JS-100 WA-100 AG-100 NM-100. $1,699.99
2017 Mouton Rothschild. JS-98. $1,187.99
2005 Pavie. JD-100 JS-100 RP-100. $1,049.99
White Bordeaux & Burgundy in Magnums
2019 Le Petit Cheval Blanc Bordeaux Blanc. JS-98. $282.99
2020 Le Petit Cheval Blanc Bordeaux Blanc. AG-96. $269.99
2019 Louis Michel 1er Cru Chablis Montée de Tonnerre. BH 90-93. $119.99
Double Magnums (3 Liters)
1988 Malartic-Lagravière. RP 94-96. $399.99
2000 Tertre Rôteboeuf. RP-98. $1,499.99
2005 Tertre Rôteboeuf. RP-98. $1,499.99
2019 Tour Saint-Christophe. JS-97. $199.99
Imperiale (6 Liters)
2019 Mouton Rothschild. LPB-100. $7,759.99
Other Top Bordeaux in Magnums
2018 Cos d’Estournel. JD-98+ $419.99
2016 Cos d’Estournel. JS-100 WA-100 NM-100. $519.99
2010 Domaine de Chevalier. JS-96. $229.99
2015 Laurets – Edmund de Rothschild. $85.99
2018 Léoville-Barton. JD-97. $209.99
2019 Léoville-Barton. JA-97. $258.99
2008 Léoville Las Cases. NM-96. $429.99
2019 Malescot-St-Exupéry. JS-96. $149.99
2003 Nenin. $179.99
2015 Palmer. JS-100. $739.99
2016 Pédesclaux. JS-95. $99.99
2016 Pontet Canet. WE-100. $358.99
2015 Smith Haut Lafitte – anniversary bottle. JS-99. $379.99
Magnums – Napa Valley
2015 Adaptation by Odette Cabernet Sauvignon. $159.99
2019 Dominus Bordeaux Blend. LPB-100. $598.99
2008 Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. AG-98+ $349.99.
2007 Schweiger Cabernet Sauvignon “Spring Mountain District” $245.99
2011 Shafer Hillside Select. JS-96. $539.99
2007 Barnett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon “Spring Mountain District” RP-92. $135.99
2008 Terra Valentine “Yverdon Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon. $245.99
Half-Bottles (375 Milliliters)
2009 Cantemerle. JS-95. $37.99
2018 Cos d’Estournel. 98+ $119.99
2019 d’Issan. JS-97. $37.99
2019 Margaux. JD-100 JS-100 WA-100 LPB-100. $399.99
2018 Montrose. JD-100. $125.99
2019 Vieux Château Certan. WA-100. $179.99
