Cuvee Loraine
- Volume: 750ml
Maison Francois Labet is a negociant for small domaines and chateaux in Burgundy and also produces a range of AOC wines from Burgundy and Rhone under its own label.
Francois Labet views differ from some on winemaking and has two separate “hats” – one Chateau de La Tour Clos Vougeot and the other Domaine Pierre & Francois Labet based mostly around Beaune where he also directs the winegrowing and commercial activities of his family's property.
Chateau de la Tour was built in 1890 by the ancestors of the current owners, the Labet and D'Achelette families, who trace their roots in wine back to the end of the 15th century.
Chateau de La Tour is the largest and one of the most important producers in Clos Vougeot. The domaine itself is located right in the vineyard on the northern side of the Clos Vougeot, with holdings of six hectares of old vines in Clos Vougeot from which the Vougeot and a Vieilles Vignes are made (the latter hailing from vines between eighty and one hundred years of age). These parcels are right in the heart of the vineyard, on the upper slopes that surround the two chateaux and lie just below Musigny.
The domaine is one of the few owners in the Clos Vougeot that continue to practice organic viticulture. Francois has been organic since 1992 and has started to encourage the growth of natural grasses between the vines to compete with the vines.
Cuvee Lorraine is a classic example of a sparkling Blanc de Blanc. Literally meaning "white of whites" blanc de blancs has its roots in Champagne, but was initially used for still wines, not sparkling. This wonderful example contains Ugni Blanc (known as trebbiano in Italy) and Rolle (Vermentino) as well as Semillon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay providing an ethereal blend that belies it's price