Tour du Pin, Chateau La
Summary
Château La Tour du Pin is an 8-10 hectare Saint-Émilion Grand Cru estate producing Merlot-dominant wines from clay and limestone soils, operating under the ownership of prestigious Château Cheval Blanc since 2006. The estate combines traditional Bordeaux winemaking with modern precision while maintaining a distinct identity, offering authentic Saint-Émilion character at more accessible prices than its famous parent property.
Heritage & Leadership
Château La Tour du Pin is a wine estate situated in the Saint-Émilion appellation on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, France. The property's history extends back to at least the 18th century, with a long tradition of wine production in this prestigious region.
The estate underwent a significant ownership change in 2006 when it was acquired by Château Cheval Blanc, which is jointly owned by LVMH and the Frère family. Prior to this acquisition, Château La Tour du Pin was in the hands of the Moueix family, a prominent name in Bordeaux wine circles known for their extensive involvement in wine production and merchant activities throughout the region.
Following the 2006 acquisition, the technical team from Cheval Blanc assumed oversight of the winemaking operations at La Tour du Pin, bringing their expertise and methodologies to the property. This transition marked an important chapter in the estate's development, aligning it with one of Saint-Émilion's most distinguished producers.
Vineyards & Wines
Château La Tour du Pin encompasses approximately 8-10 hectares of vineyards within the Saint-Émilion appellation. The estate's terroir features predominantly clay and limestone soils, characteristic of this part of Saint-Émilion and conducive to growing the Bordeaux varieties that thrive in these conditions.
The vineyard is planted primarily with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, following the traditional Right Bank approach to viticulture. The wine produced at La Tour du Pin typically follows the classic Saint-Émilion blend profile, with Merlot comprising approximately 70-80% of the composition, complemented by Cabernet Franc.
The wines from this estate express characteristics typical of quality Saint-Émilion productions, with profiles featuring red and black fruits, notes of plum and cherry, and subtle oak influence from the aging process. All wines are produced under the Saint-Émilion appellation, adhering to the regulations and standards of this protected designation of origin.
Philosophy & Practice
The viticultural and winemaking practices at Château La Tour du Pin follow traditional Bordeaux methods, with attention to quality at each stage of production. The grapes are hand-harvested and carefully sorted to ensure only the finest fruit makes it into the final wine.
The vinification process employs temperature-controlled fermentation, typically conducted in stainless steel or concrete vats as is standard for quality Bordeaux production. Following fermentation, the wines undergo aging in French oak barrels, allowing for the gradual development of complexity and structure.
Since the acquisition by Cheval Blanc, there has been integration between the two properties' operations, with some of La Tour du Pin's production potentially being incorporated into Cheval Blanc's second wine. This relationship has allowed for the application of Cheval Blanc's winemaking philosophy and technical expertise to the La Tour du Pin vineyard.