4eme Grand Cru Classe 2021

Château La Tour Carnet's tower dates to the 12th century, making it one of the oldest continuously occupied estates in the Médoc — a lineage that predates the 1855 classification that would eventually rank it a Fourth Growth. The estate sits in Saint-Laurent-Médoc, where deep gravel beds over clay subsoil slow drainage just enough to sustain vines through dry summers while the gravel's heat retention accelerates phenolic ripening. The 2021 growing season delivered a cool, late-ripening year that compressed fruit intensity and sharpened natural acidity — conditions that reward structured blends over opulent ones. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the blend, supported by Merlot, with the wine aged in French oak barriques for approximately 12–14 months, a proportion in new oak contributing structure without overwhelming the site's mineral character. What distinguishes La Tour Carnet within its peer group is its Saint-Laurent address: technically Haut-Médoc appellation rather than a named commune cru, yet the gravel plateau here mirrors the geology of neighbouring Pauillac. The 2021 vintage's firm tannic architecture and lively acidity suggest a drinking window opening from 2025 through the early 2030s.