THE WINE:

Singular in more ways than one, the 2019 vintage stood out from the previous two through its significant climatic contrasts and its ability to reveal the identity of both the terroir and the grape varieties. After a mild winter and limited cryptogamic pressure, the summer brought very hot weather. At Chateau La Tour de Bessan, the harvest began on September 18 and ended on October 10, dividing the vineyard into 24 plots. The harvest was carried out mechanically for 30% of the plots, while the rest were done by hand. Only perfectly ripened grapes were harvested, plot by plot.

TASTING NOTES:

A dark nose full of ripe blackcurrants. This has a nice energy to it, juicy black fruit and an undercurrent of liquorice and minty tones. There is drive and the fruit feels svelte and well worked. Approachable and one to drink soon. I like the really upfront juiciness of this with a high toned, high acid lift on the finish. A nice perfume and elegance too. Lovely. Drinking window: 2023-2035. Score – 92. (Georgina Hindle, decanter.com, Jan. 4, 2022))

HISTORY:

This Château is named after a 13th century tower, the only remains of this medieval construction which was a veritable fortress built to protect its owner, lord Jehan Colomb, when he was visiting his land. The edifice remained in the Colomb family until 1390, when his descendant was executed having been found guilty of conspiring against the English. Several illustrious local families followed suite in ownership: The Durforts, the Garros and the Lord of Mons in 1488. Their last heir, Thérèse, married the son of the renowned writer, Montesquieu in 1740 and their heirs kept this title until the French Revolution. It was in 1972 that Lucien Lurton bought the tower with it’s vineyards from the Clauzel family. He moved heaven and earth in order to establish this domain, all the while runnin his numerous other châteaux. In 1992, his daughter, Marie-Laure took over the domain.