Château La Tour Haut-Brion

The vines at what would become Château La Tour Haut-Brion were first planted by the Rostaing family in the 16th century, giving the estate one of the longer documented histories in the Graves. The property was known at various times as La Tour de Rostaing and La Tour d'Esquivens before the Cayrou brothers renamed it La Tour Haut-Brion by the mid-19th century. Victor Coustau purchased the estate in 1890, and the Woltner family managed it from 1924 until 1983, when Domaine Clarence Dillon, already the owner of nearby La Mission Haut-Brion, acquired the property.

• Vines first planted in the 16th century by the Rostaing family
• Renamed La Tour Haut-Brion by the Cayrou brothers in the mid-19th century
• Purchased by Victor Coustau in 1890
• Under Woltner family management from 1924 to 1983

The estate's 5 hectares sit on the deep gravel-based soils characteristic of Pessac-Léognan, a terroir that drains freely and retains warmth through the growing season. The climate in Talence delivers hot, dry summers and mild autumns, conditions that favor the slow, even ripening of Bordeaux's classic red varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon leads the blend at 42%, supported by Merlot at 35% and a small contribution of Cabernet Franc at 3%, a composition typical of the left bank's red wine tradition.

Château La Tour Haut-Brion holds the status of Cru Classé de Graves, having been included in both the 1953 and 1959 official classifications of the Graves region. This dual recognition places it firmly among the historic estates of Pessac-Léognan, alongside neighbors such as La Mission Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion. The classification covers red wines only, consistent with the estate's sole production of red Bordeaux blends throughout its active years.

The 2005 vintage stands as the final release under the Château La Tour Haut-Brion label. From the 2006 vintage onward, Domaine Clarence Dillon made the decision to fold the estate's production into La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion, the second wine of La Mission Haut-Brion. The label was rendered defunct, though the terroir itself continues to contribute to the broader La Mission Haut-Brion portfolio. Bottles from the estate's active years, particularly those under Dillon family ownership, remain collectible reference points for students of Pessac-Léognan's classified estates.