Why it matters
The producer
The former lighthouse tower in the middle of the vines was built in 1825 to guide sailors navigating the Gironde Estuary through foggy nights. Château la Tour de By is a Médoc château in the northern Médoc, managed by Frédéric Le Clerc and Benjamin Richer des Forges, the grandsons of Marc Pagès.
Pagès, an agricultural engineer from Tunisia, purchased the estate in 1965 and was responsible for its restoration. Vines have been grown at La Tour de By since the sixteenth century, and records show that Pierre Tizon, lord of the fiefdom of By, acquired the château in 1599.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Gravel based soils are typical of this part of the Médoc. The appellation is Médoc, and the red wine uses Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Gravel drains quickly after rain and stores heat during the day, helping Cabernet Sauvignon ripen while retaining acidity. Merlot adds softness and fruit, while Petit Verdot contributes colour and spice.
Wines to know
The range in view
Château la Tour de By is a red Médoc wine built from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. The 2019 has a dark purple colour with a violet hue and an almost black core. Blackberries, cassis, anise and spices lead the nose; fresh acidity, ripe tannins, dark fruits, liquorice and blueberries fill the palate.
The 2019 is a richer La Tour de By, one of the fullest bodied wines from the estate. Fermentation takes place in traditional wooden vessels with a maceration lasting four weeks, followed by malolactic fermentation in vat and 16 months in barrels with 30% new French oak. The recommended drinking window runs from 2020 to 2035, with two hours of decanting.