Château La Tour Blance

The figures who have shaped the destiny of La Tour Blanche are inextricably linked to its history. Each, in their own way, has contributed to making the estate one of the finest in Sauternes, by taking risks, by being imaginative, by challenging conventional thinking, and by investing. These “prospectors of gold” - a description which is very fitting for Sauternes - have created their philosopher stones in the form of... golden nuggets. Foremost among these: Monsieur de Saint-Marc, Lord of La Tour Blanche.

We could go much further back in time, but the original small chartreuse that became a château starts to get slightly lost among the various notarial deeds and other archives. But we need to start somewhere, and Monsieur de Saint-Marc, Lord of La Tour Blanche – who would give the domaine its name – is a good starting point. This was back in the mid-17th century.  Saint-Marc was a clerk at the Court of the Parliament of Bordeaux.  As he had considerable financial means at his disposal, he was able to transform the vineyards and its humble dwelling into a fine looking château, even having a tower built in order to justify the name!

FREDERICK FOCKE, THE QUALITY CAMPAIGNER

Another figure who played an important role in building the reputation of Château La Tour Blanche, was German, Frederick Focke.  At the time, there was a sizeable German community in the region, which was also influenced by English Protestantism. Mr Focke reinvented the sweet wine of Sauternes. Here's how…

Frederick Focke had brought with him a technique known as “late harvesting” already widely practiced in his country of origin, as well as by a few famous properties such as Yquem and Suduiraut. Not content to be just a pioneer, Frederick Focke was also among the influential and innovative owners who were able to persuade their fellow Sauternes producers – even the stubbornest among them - to carry out successive selections of the grapes at harvest time, which would be the key to the success of the appellation.

The merits of this initiative were proven when, the Sauternes crus, like those of the Médoc, were classified by the Syndicat des Courtiers en Vins de Bordeaux in 1855.  At the time, the aim of this classification was to identify the "best" wines, those worthy of being showcased at the Universal Exhibition in Paris. Château La Tour Blanche – a Sauternes Premier Grand Cru – was, of course, one of the first selected. This was a true consecration for Frederick Focke... who sadly died that same year.

In 1855, during the Second Empire, the growths («Crus») from Sauternes, along with those from Medoc, were asked to put forward their products for a classification organized by The Wine Brokers’ Union of Bordeaux under the supervision of the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce.  

This request emanated from the Imperial Government who wanted to submit the most deserving wines of the Gironde to The Universal Exhibition in Paris. 

Château La Tour Blanche was placed top of the Sauternes white wine first growths («Premiers Crus») just behind Château d’Yquem, the unique «Premier Grand Cru Supérieur» of the Appellation.

OSIRIS, THE WINE LOVER

After the death of the talented Frederick Focke, the family - wife, nephews and investors - presided over the destiny of the domaine recognized as being one of the most typical of the appellation. Then along came Osiris! Behind this pseudonym, which sounds like the name of some ancient Egyptian god, was a man named Daniel Iffla, a wine aesthete with an unconditional love of elegance and quality. 

Château La Tour Blanche seems to have been just waiting for this new owner to come along to reveal its final, flattering touch of excellence. Osiris was a powerful financier with limitless financial resources. Although he usually resided in one of his villas in Arcachon, he could always be found at La Tour Blanche at harvest time. 
Daniel Iffla was not only a lover of prestigious wines, he was also a philanthropist in numerous fields including building restoration, providing assistance to those in need, and research with Louis Pasteur.

This incredible man, who died heirless in 1907, bequeathed the property to the French State under the condition that a wine school be established on the site.  His wishes were respected in 1911.

HE WILL TO PASS ON

Since 2010, the estate has belonged to the Region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The state agricultural school offers several courses with levels ranking from a tenth grade («troisième») vocational course («Découverte des metiers du vivant») and Secondary School Graduation Diploma (Baccalaureat Professionel) through to a 2-Year Degree Course by Apprenticeship (B.T.S.A).


Since 2010, the School of Viticulture and Oenology and the Chateau La Tour Blanche have integrated the EPLEFPA Bordeaux-Gironde (Local Public Institution of agricultural Education and Vocational Training ), first institution of agricultural and viticultural studies at the national level , which combines two other schools and their châteaux: Blanquefort school and Château Dillon (Haut-Médoc AOC, Cru Bourgeois), as well as Libourne-Montagne school and Château Grand Baril (Montagne Saint-Emilion AOC) and Réal Caillou (Lalande de Pomerol AOC).

A PEDAGOGICAL FIRST GREAT GROWTHIt is important to highlight that even if Chateau La Tour Blanche represents an essential pedagogical support for the students, the estate is entirely managed independently from the school by professionals in the Wine and Vine-growing sector in order that the expected level of quality for a Grand Cru of Bordeaux is respected.

The Sauternes Appellation covers near to 2,000 hectares on the five villages of Barsac, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Sauternes.
This wine-producing region offers visitors an undulating landscape where its gently sloping hillsides seem to be complacently exposed to the sunlight.
This is why Chateau La Tour Blanche, along with most of the classified growths («Crus Classés») of the appellation, is situated on a fine hilltop position, 60m above sea level.
This advantageous position facilitates the best possible exposure to the sun, optimal drainage of the land and specific soils. All of those give wines special character. Indeed, this alluvial land (deposits originating from The Garonne), is made up of a gravelly surface soil and an argillaceous-calcareous substratum.

THREE TRADITIONAL GRAPE VARIETIES

The three traditional grape varieties of the Sauternes A.O.C. are Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle.
At Chateau La Tour Blanche they are planted in the right proportions: 83% Sémillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle. Each grape-variety provides the wine with its own specific qualities and characteristics, in a harmonious and always unique blend. 
Semillon gives the wine its golden colour and its specific dry fruits, candied fruits and honey aromas.
Sauvignon Blanc produces a very fine, full bodied, particularly aromatic wine, and brings a pleasant freshness to the blend.
The Muscadelle grape is a part of the unique style of the wines produced by the property. It adds some aromatic complexity due to its delicate scent of muscat grape and its exotic and spicy notes.

RIGOROUS VINEYARD MANAGEMENT

"One can only make good wine from good grapes". With this proverb in mind La Tour Blanche team is aware that the work behind producing a great vintage starts in the vineyard and carries on through the year.
Apart from the unpredictable climatic conditions it is this rigorous vineyard management which determines the quality of the grape berry, so the quality of the wine.
For several years now, Château La Tour Blanche has been applying its policy of using specific work methods in order to respect the environment. 
In parallel to public guidelines, the Château has decided to set up a rigorous contract regarding the environment. Since a few years, the Chateau has taken some advance by setting up some concrete actions, like effluents treatment, spray containment, as well as a lot of experimentation, particularly concerning the protection of the vineyard and managed according to organic methods. 
These ambitious choices which unite the château and its environment have emerged quite naturally and have led to concrete recognition; Indeed, Château La Tour Blanche is certified HVE 3 (High Environmental Values) and is a member of the first association for The Environmental Management System (SME) for Bordeaux Wine certified ISO 14001.

The grapes which arrive in the winery are perfectly botrytised, saturated with sugar and candied («confits») to perfection. Now, the almost magical act of transforming the grapes into wine begins.

Once selected on the sorting table and pressed, the must obtained from the grapes undergoes a simultaneous reaction provoked by the Noble Rot: the acidity level diminishes and the sugar concentration level increases. The annual yield doesn’t go over 10 to 15 hl/ha due to a rigorous selection.

Thus, only musts with an average potential of 20 to 22 degrees in alcohol are selected for the First Great Growth («1er Cru Classé»). The slightly less concentrated juices will be used for the production of the second or third wines. After a night of decantation, the alcoholic fermentation begins.

After two to three weeks the desired balance between the sugar and the alcohol level is obtained and the fermentation process is stopped. This is the non-fermented residual sugar which makes the wine so rich, sweet and tasty.

CARE AND AGEING

To allow the wine to slowly mature during this preservation period, Chateau La Tour Blanche attentively follows its evolution.

Like all wines, the barrels will be regularly topped up. In order to eliminate the lees the wine is racked every three months.

On average, the ageing lasts from 16 to 18 months. It is only after this process that the blending begins – an art determined by strict taste assessments of the different batches. The results must equal customer required level.

The precious nectar is finally obtained. Now starts the ageing process as Sauternes wines can be laid down for a long time.

THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY AND TRADITION IN THE QUEST FOR QUALITYChateau La Tour Blanche has continually provided itself with the means to keep its reputation. It is fitted out with the most modern and efficient equipments but it has also known how to maintain the more traditional aspects of wine-making.
The recently renovated winery, which has also been modernised and air-conditioned, stocks the traditional 225-litres Bordeaux traditional barrels. At Chateau La Tour Blanche, all the barrels are renewed every vintage and are made from French oak grown in Nievre, Allier and Vosges.
The vatroom comprises thermo-regulated stainless steel tanks of varying capacities, enabling a very precise selection of the wines, including small volumes.

Man’s craftsmanship and experience in the world of wine is still omnipresent at La Tour Blanche. However, it is also through constant experimentations and significant technological investments made over the years that contribute in achieving the Chateau’s main objective: Quality.