François Labet

Mediterranean ‘Burgundy’ from A Icon of Clos Vougeot

In addition to his fine Burgundies at Château de La Tour and Domaine Pierre Labet, François Labet also crafts a terrific Pinot Noir from a small vineyard in the east of Corsica. Labet first served us this wine blind in 2013, on visit to his Clos de Vougeot Estate. Everyone assumed it was a cheeky little Burgundy and praised the wine accordingly. You can imagine the surprise when the wine was unveiled. In our defence, the wine is clearly varietal, and no-one could have expected to be served a Pinot from outside the region while staring out the window at the vines of Clos de Vougeot! Despite some embarrassment, there were smiles all ’round when the price was announced.

The background story is that Labet has a holiday house in Corsica and over the years he had fallen in love with the region’s rocky, high-altitude terroir. He had also recognised that there was a possibility that Pinot Noir could work in some of the more elevated sites on the island. So, when the opportunity arose to work with a local vigneron and friend to produce a Corsican Pinot, he didn't hesitate.

The vineyard is located on the east coast of Corsica's Haute-Corse department, at 400-metres elevation, above the town of Ghisonaccia. Rather unlike the treatment for his red Burgundies, François Labet fully destems the fruit for this wine and then ages it in tank (two-thirds) and French oak (one-third) before bottling. It’s vibrant, versatile Mediterranean “Burgundy” that oozes personality and is great value to boot.

The Range

François Labet VDP Île de Beauté Pinot Noir 2022
François Labet VDP Île de Beauté Pinot Noir 2022
Added

François Labet VDP Île de Beauté Pinot Noir 2022

Screwcap. Produced by François Labet (of Clos de Vougeot's Chateau de la Tour), this versatile Mediterranean Pinot Noir oozes personality. The vineyard is located on the east coast of Corsica's Haute-Corse department, at 400-metres altitude above the town of Ghisonaccia. Rather unlike the treatment for his red Burgundies, François Labet fully destems the fruit for this wine and then ages it two-thirds in tank and one-third in French oak before bottling. This is already open for business with spice, blue fruits, earthy forest floor notes and even some secondary tones starting to shine through. On top of the sweet core of fruit there’s some Mediterranean garrigue, a hint of anise and a kiss of French oak spice. The bright, clean finish reflects the wine’s rocky, high-country terroir with juicy tannins and a snap of tangy acidity.

This is already open for business with spice, blue fruits, earthy forest floor notes and even some secondary tones starting to shine through. On top of the sweet core of fruit there’s some Mediterranean garrigue, a hint of anise and a kiss of French oak spice. The bright, clean finish reflects the wine’s rocky, high-country terroir with juicy tannins and a snap of tangy acidity.

François Labet VDP Île de Beauté Pinot Noir 2022
François Labet VDP Île de Beauté Pinot Noir 2022
Added

Country

France

Primary Region

Corsica

People

Winemaker: François Labet

Availability

National

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