Château La Tour Figeac has undergone many changes during the last years of the twentieth century, most notably of all - a complete new direction in its management philosophy. In 1994 Otto M. Rettenmaier was broughtto La Tour Figeac, which had been owned by his family for over twenty years, to restructure its management. However he fell completely under the charm of the estate and at the same time he saw its huge potential and thus decided to stay.
Château La Tour Figeac lies on the famous "Graves de Saint-Emilion" - terroir, which has been famous for producing fine wine since Roman times. (The historical importance of both the viticultural region and the medieval heritage of Saint-Emilion has lately been stressed by honouring it as one of the World's Heritages through the UNESCO.) In 1879 Château La Tour Figeac was devided from Château Figeac. Two years later it was divided in two and Château La Tour du Pin Figeac became independent.
The 14,5 hectares of vines of Château La Tour Figeac are located between Château Cheval Blanc in the East, Château Figeac in the South and the highly regarded Pomerol appellation to the West. The warm gravel- and sand-clay-soils, which retain the heat of the day and release it slowly over night, tend to produce early-maturing, very ripe grapes. The resulting wines show a natural elegance and concentration, and reflect all facets of the two grown grape-varieties, Merlot (60%) and Cabernet Franc (40%). The winery's classification as a "Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Emilion" values not only the quality and distinction of the terroir, but also of the resulting wines.
Upon arrival Otto M. Rettenmaier quickly installed a new winemaking-philosophy. Innovation as well as a return to the roots of viticultural practices became equally important, and while the former led to a complete renovation of the cellar, the latter made him adopt biodynamic techniques - but in an eclectic, flexible way, avoiding all dogmatism.
The resulting changes would not have been possible without the enthusiasm and professional approach of the team. United in their goal to produce wines of the highest quality, which fully express the unique character of La Tour Figeac's terroir, they now measure and time all vineyard operation according to close observations of the vines. Traditional ploughing methods as well as manuring are restored to their former importance and the care for the plant itself is enhanced: it's vitality and balance is maintained and furthered through the exclusive use of products sanctioned for the organic agriculture as well as self-made herbal brews. A thus reinforced natural balance of the vineyard as well as low yields allow for ripe, clean and healthy grapes, which clearly reflect their terroir. They produce great wines of typicity, concentration and character.
To enhance this expression of the terroir is, of course, also the aim of the vinification and ageing process.
From the vineyard to the vats the grapes are therefore treated with the utmost care and delicacy, as to preserve them as undamaged as possible and thus allow for a gentle alcoholic fermentation and further maceration. Similar care is given to the long smooth ageing process which takes place exclusively in traditional French oak barrels (barriques). The wines shall not be altered in their taste but further developed and enhanced in such a way, that the terroir will clearly stand out of the overall impression and be fixed for the wine's entire life.
Due to their roundness and finesse, the wines of Château La Tour Figeac inspire already when young, yet the incredible power of their structure and body suggests an enormous ageing potential.
The complex bouquet is characterised by the intensive expression of black cherries and plums as well as red and black berries, and is completed by underlying hints of violets, eucalyptus and mint.
Notes of vanilla, coffee and spices, which are due to the ageing in new oak barrels, are already well integrated in the young wine and will add a slight sweet spiciness in time.
On the palate these wines intrigue through their elegance and silkiness, as well as their perfectly balanced intensity and length of flavour, suggesting wines which rest in their natural equilibrium and are made for long-term pleasure.
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