2015 Château de la Tour “Hommage à Jean Morin” Clos de Vougeot 750ml

The 2015 Château de la Tour Hommage à Jean Morin Clos de Vougeot is an elusive unicorn of Burgundy. Furthermore, proprietor François Labet crafts this ultra-rare cuvée only in exceptional, benchmark vintages. The wine pays homage to François Labet’s grandfather, Jean Morin, who guided the historic domaine for decades. Consequently, this microscopic production of barely two to three barrels commands immense collector reverence worldwide.

Additionally, the solar 2015 growing season produced Pinot Noir with profound phenolic concentration and velvety grandeur. Meanwhile, centenarian vines planted in 1910 delivered astonishing dry extract and crystalline mineral tension. Therefore, this singular Grand Cru stands at the absolute zenith of Clos de Vougeot.

Terroir & Viticulture

Château de la Tour is the sole estate located physically inside the historic walls of Clos de Vougeot. Specifically, the domaine owns roughly 5.5 hectares situated directly in the prized mid-slope and upper sectors. The soil features thin, stony topsoil rich in limestone pebbles over fractured Bathonian limestone bedrock. As a result, the vineyard provides exceptional drainage and forces roots deep into the bedrock.

Meanwhile, the fruit for this cuvée originates exclusively from the estate’s oldest parcel, planted in 1910. François Labet farms these centenarian vines using certified organic and biodynamic practices. Furthermore, natural shot berries (millerandage) and tiny clusters drastically restricted yields during the 2015 season. Thus, each grape bunch achieved phenomenal sugar maturity and thick-skinned phenolic complexity.

Vinification & Craftsmanship

In the winery, François Labet vinifies this cuvée with an uncompromising, purist cellar protocol. First, harvesters pick the ancient parcel by hand at dawn with berry-by-berry table triage. Subsequently, the uncrushed Pinot Noir clusters undergo 100% whole-cluster fermentation in open wooden vats. This traditional technique imparts intoxicating floral lift, exotic spices, and seamless structural depth.

Moreover, Labet relies entirely on indigenous yeasts and gentle manual punch-downs. The wine matures for roughly eighteen to twenty-four months in 100% new French oak barriques. Crucially, the wine’s immense dry extract absorbs the oak frame with effortless, seamless poise. Finally, the estate bottles this rare cuvée by gravity without fining or filtration.

Tasting Notes

In the glass, Hommage à Jean Morin displays a deep, saturated ruby hue with vibrant violet reflections. Immediately, the nose bursts with soaring aromas of black raspberries, wild damson plum, and blood orange. In addition, complex undertones of dried rose petals, whole-cluster spice, incense, and crushed limestone unfold.

On the palate, the wine feels full-bodied, multi-dimensional, and astonishingly concentrated. However, fine-grained, cashmere tannins frame the deep core of wild fruit with weightless Grand Cru poise. Consequently, the finish extends for over a minute with echoes of black tea, graphite, and salinity. Ultimately, it delivers an unforgettable tasting experience of monumental Burgundian royalty.

Technical Specifications

• Producer: Château de la Tour
• Proprietor & Winemaker: François Labet
• Appellation: Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru AOC (Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France)
• Cuvée: Hommage à Jean Morin
• Vine Age: Centenarian vines planted in 1910
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
• Vinification: 100% Whole-Cluster, Native Yeasts, Manual Punch-downs
• Aging: 18–24 Months in 100% New French Oak Barriques
• Production: Strictly Limited (~2–3 barrels / under 900 bottles)
• Vintage: 2015
• Volume: 750ml

Service & Cellar Potential

Serve this monumental Grand Cru between 15°C and 17°C (59°F–63°F) in large Burgundy stemware. Specifically, decant the bottle for 60 minutes prior to service to allow its dense bouquet to blossom. Therefore, gentle aeration allows the intricate whole-cluster spice and limestone notes to expand completely.

Pair this structured wine with roasted squab, milk-fed veal chops with morels, or seared duck breast. Furthermore, the 2015 vintage possesses immense structural depth and fine-grained tannins. As a result, collectors can cellar this legendary bottle with complete confidence through 2055+.