Wines Margaux Château La Tour de Bessan - 2011

Viniou Reviews

Château La Tour de Bessan 2011 is a classic red wine from the esteemed Margaux appellation in Bordeaux's Médoc region. This wine is typically a blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot and often a touch of Petit Verdot, which is true to the signature style of Margaux. The 2011 vintage was marked by a challenging growing season, with a warm spring followed by a relatively cool and wet summer, resulting in wines that prize elegance over power. As a Cru Bourgeois, Château La Tour de Bessan offers exceptional quality and value, undergoing careful vinification and maturation—often with significant time in French oak barrels to develop complexity and finesse.

Margaux is one of the crown jewels within the Médoc, distinguished by its gravelly soils that provide excellent drainage and contribute to the region’s reputation for producing some of the most refined and aromatic Bordeaux reds. The climate in Margaux is tempered by its proximity to the Gironde estuary, which helps moderate temperatures and reduce the risk of frost, essential for even ripening of the Cabernet Sauvignon. The appellation has a long, storied history recognised for producing wines of superb balance, bouquet, and longevity.

Given its supple tannin structure and notes of redcurrant, cassis, cedar, and delicate florals, this Margaux is a wonderful companion to classic French cuisine such as duck breast with cherry sauce, roast lamb with herbs, or even a richly flavoured mushroom risotto. For regional harmony, consider pairing it with entrecôte à la bordelaise, a Bordelais speciality featuring grilled ribeye and a red wine shallot sauce.

Serve Château La Tour de Bessan 2011 at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Decanting for around an hour is recommended to allow the wine’s bouquet to emerge fully and to soften the tannins, revealing the hallmark elegance and charm associated with Margaux. Enjoy this wine now, or age for a few more years to appreciate its evolving depth.