Château La Tour Figeac

Château La Tour Figeac is a Bordeaux wine estate in the Saint-Émilion appellation of France. It is classified as a Grand cru classé under the Saint-Émilion wine classification and occupies a location between Château Cheval Blanc and Château Figeac, close to the Pomerol boundary. The estate is therefore associated with one of the most prestigious red-wine zones on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, where Merlot and Cabernet Franc are the principal grape varieties. The property has historical roots in the large Figeac estate. In 1879, a 37-hectare portion was separated from Figeac and acquired by a person identified in reference material as M. Corbière. The holding was subsequently reduced and divided, with portions becoming associated with the estates Château La Tour du Pin Figeac under different ownerships. This history reflects the repeated subdivision of large historic Bordeaux properties during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In 1973, François Rapin sold Château La Tour Figeac to the Rettenmaier family, which remains the estate’s owner. Otto Maximilian Rettenmaier has managed the property since 1994. During the 1994–1997 period, winemaking was carried out by Aaron Pott, who later became known for his work in California and was named Food & Wine magazine’s Winemaker of the Year in 2012. Christine Derenoncourt is identified as the estate’s technical director, while Stéphane Derenoncourt has served as consulting oenologist. The vineyard currently extends across approximately 14.5 hectares. Its planting is reported as 60 percent Merlot and 40 percent Cabernet Franc, a composition suited to the clay and gravel-influenced conditions of Saint-Émilion and to the region’s traditional style of full-bodied, aromatic red wine. The estate is described as biodynamic, indicating an approach that treats the vineyard as an integrated ecological system and emphasizes biologically oriented soil and plant management. Château La Tour Figeac produces a principal wine generally referred to as the Grand vin, together with a second wine, L’Esquisse de La Tour Figeac. Typical annual production is approximately 3,300 cases for the Grand vin and around 1,250 cases for the second wine. In the 2000 vintage, the second-wine program was replaced by Cuvée M00, a wine made entirely from Merlot. Production volumes and cuvée composition can vary by vintage, as is common for Bordeaux estates. The estate’s positioning rests on its classified Saint-Émilion status, its proximity to major Right Bank properties, its Merlot–Cabernet Franc vineyard profile, and its biodynamic viticultural identity. It is a château brand rather than a diversified beverage company: its commercial identity is centered on estate-grown, vintage-dated Bordeaux wines sold through the region’s traditional distribution and international fine-wine channels.

Château La Tour Figeac’s history is tied to the historic Figeac estate in Saint-Émilion. Until the late nineteenth century, the property formed part of that larger holding. In 1879, a 37-hectare section was acquired by M. Corbière and became a separately identifiable property. The landholding was later reduced through sales and subdivision. Parts of the former holding became associated with estates known as Château La Tour du Pin Figeac, which developed under separate ownerships. The modern ownership history began in 1973, when François Rapin sold the estate to the Rettenmaier family. The family remains the owner. Otto Maximilian Rettenmaier has managed the estate since 1994, overseeing its development as a classified Saint-Émilion property. From 1994 to 1997, the wines were made by Aaron Pott. The estate’s technical organization later included Christine Derenoncourt as technical director and Stéphane Derenoncourt as consulting oenologist. The vineyard is described as biodynamic and covers approximately 14.5 hectares. Plantings consist of about 60 percent Merlot and 40 percent Cabernet Franc, reflecting the grape mix traditionally associated with Saint-Émilion’s Right Bank red wines. The estate is situated between Château Cheval Blanc and Château Figeac, near the border with Pomerol, giving its location particular relevance within the Bordeaux hierarchy. Its principal wine is the Grand vin, produced in limited quantities. The estate also makes L’Esquisse de La Tour Figeac as a second wine. Reported typical production is about 3,300 cases of the Grand vin and 1,250 cases of the second wine annually. For the 2000 vintage, the second wine was replaced by Cuvée M00, a 100 percent Merlot bottling. The estate’s classification, vineyard location, biodynamic approach, and small-scale production define its identity as a specialized Saint-Émilion château rather than a broad consumer brand.

1. 2000Cuvée M00 introduced for the vintage

   For the 2000 vintage, the customary second wine was replaced by Cuvée M00, made entirely from Merlot.

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2. 1994Otto Maximilian Rettenmaier begins management

   Otto Maximilian Rettenmaier began managing the estate.

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3. 1994Aaron Pott winemaking period begins

   Aaron Pott began a winemaking period at the estate that continued through 1997.

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4. 1973Rettenmaier family acquisition

   François Rapin sold Château La Tour Figeac to the Rettenmaier family, which remains the estate’s owner.

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5. 1879A portion separates from the Figeac estate

   A 37-hectare section of the historic Figeac estate was acquired by M. Corbière, establishing the property as a distinct holding.

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A classified Saint-Émilion château positioned as a terroir-driven, biodynamic Right Bank Bordeaux estate with a Merlot-led vineyard and a limited-production portfolio.

• Château La Tour Figeac Grand vinSaint-Émilion red wine

  The estate’s principal wine, produced from the château’s approximately 14.5-hectare vineyard. The reported vineyard blend is 60 percent Merlot and 40 percent Cabernet Franc. Typical annual output is approximately 3,300 cases, although production can vary according to vintage conditions and selection decisions.

• L’Esquisse de La Tour FigeacSecond wine

  The estate’s customary second wine, made from fruit or lots not assigned to the Grand vin. Reference material places typical production at approximately 1,250 cases per year. Its role is to provide a distinct expression of the estate’s vineyard while supporting selection for the principal cuvée.

• Cuvée M00Vintage-specific red wine2000

  A 100 percent Merlot wine used in place of the estate’s usual second wine for the 2000 vintage. It is a vintage-specific cuvée rather than a regularly documented year-round product line.

• 2000Replacement of the second wine with Cuvée M00Product launch

  For the 2000 vintage, the estate altered its customary second-wine program.

  What changed. The usual second wine was replaced by Cuvée M00, a wine made entirely from Merlot.

  Aftermath. Cuvée M00 became the documented second-wine alternative for that vintage.

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• 1973Sale to the Rettenmaier familyM&A

  François Rapin transferred ownership of the estate in 1973.

  What changed. The Rettenmaier family acquired Château La Tour Figeac and retained ownership thereafter.

  Aftermath. The family became the long-term owner of the Saint-Émilion estate; Otto Maximilian Rettenmaier later assumed management in 1994.

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1. Château La Tour Figeac