Louis Latour : Beaune 1er cru "Vignes Franches" 2024

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Beaune 1er Cru "Vignes Franches" 2024 Louis Latour

Tasting

Colour
Of an intense, rich ruby colour, this wine reflects a beautiful natural extraction.

Nose
The expressive bouquet blends cherry aromas with subtle notes of liquorice, offering a lovely mineral and spicy complexity.

Palate
On the palate, the wine reveals itself as round and wonderfully fresh. The balance is harmonious, supported by supple tannins that integrate elegantly into the overall structure.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs beautifully with traditional dishes such as beef bourguignon or parsley-flecked ham. It will also perfectly accompany duck breast, feathered game such as woodcock, as well as characterful cheeses like Époisses, Soumaintrain or a Camembert.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate this Beaune 1er Cru, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 15 and 17°C. This wine can be enjoyed young but will continue to evolve favourably in the cellar until around 2034.

The elegance and finesse of a great Beaune wine

The estate

Officially founded in 1797, Maison Louis Latour is an emblematic institution of Burgundy. Having remained independent and family-owned since its creation, it is now run by Florent Latour, alongside Eléonore Latour, who oversees the brand's direction. The estate looks after an exceptional 48-hectare vineyard, of which 27 hectares are classified as Grand Cru. Renowned for its expertise combining tradition and innovation, the estate stands out notably for its own in-house cooperage and its historic gravity-flow cellar, ensuring the excellence of its cuvées.

The vineyard

The historic "Vignes Franches" plot is located mid-slope on the hillside of Beaune, benefiting from a privileged exposure. The vines, averaging 35 years old, thrive on clay-limestone soils dotted with small stones that promote excellent natural drainage. Cultivated using sustainable practices that respect the ecosystem, this terroir yields controlled harvests of around 40 hectolitres per hectare, with grapes harvested entirely by hand.

The vintage

The year 2024 was marked by particularly extreme weather conditions. The growing season began with late spring frost, followed by hailstorms during the summer, before ending with heavy rainfall in September. These climatic challenges considerably impacted volumes, reducing the harvest to just 30% of a typical yield.

Winemaking and aging

Winemaking is carried out traditionally in open vats, allowing for gentle, natural extraction. The wine is then aged for 10 to 12 months in French oak barrels, 25% of which are new. These barrels, with a medium toast, come directly from the estate's in-house cooperage, ensuring a subtle and well-controlled integration of oak.

Grape variety

Pinot Noir (100%).