La Tour Carnet 2011 vs 2016

Let’s look at two vintages from Château LA Tour Carnet—2011 and 2016—and see how different weather shaped two pretty different wines.

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La Tour Carnet is a Classified Growth estate in the Haut-Médoc that punches above its weight—it’s priced more like a Cru Bourgeois. The gravelly soils here produce blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. In 2011, it was cool and rainy, which slowed things down and gave the wines brighter acidity and lower alcohol. 2016 was the opposite—warm and sunny, so the grapes ripened fully and you get fuller tannins and more body. The 2011 is lighter and fresher, while the 2016 has more weight and riper fruit.

For 2011, they went with about 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc filling out the blend. They kept fermentation gentle and went easy on the oak to keep things fresh. In 2016, they had riper fruit to work with, so they extended maceration to get more colour and tannin, and used more new oak. The Cabernet proportion went up to around 65%.

The 2011 vintage welcomes you with red fruit and the timeless charm of classic claret, its ruby colour tinged with garnet. The 2011 shows red-fruit and classic claret notes—it’s medium-bodied, with good acidity, and drinks well now. The 2016 has blackcurrant, plum, vanilla, and oak spice. It’s fuller-bodied with firmer tannins, so it’ll age longer—probably needs at least 5 years. Critics varied. The 2016, with its higher price and glowing acclaim, is a treasure for the patient collector, destined to dazzle for a decade or more. The 2011 suits those who savour fresh, moderately intense wines, perfect for easy enjoyment and relaxed gatherings—think of it as the price of a memorable bistro lunch. Serve it at 16°C with a brief 30-minute decant. The 2016 rewards patience, thriving with longer cellaring and best served at 18°C after one to two hours of decanting. Ultimately, your choice depends on your taste and the story you wish to tell with you.