Château de Laborde

On a site owned by the Dukes of Burgundy, a simple fortress was built in 1119. Centuries later, in 1678, a magnificent château was completed there and became known as the "Versailles of Burgundy." Legend has it that King Louis XIV favored the château but was unable to acquire it because, in the custom of the day, it would be considered very rude to give an unfinished building to “his majesty the King." The owner didn't wish to relinquish the estate so he left a small part unfinished until the French Revolution! Current owner, Hervé Kerlann, acquired and renovated the castle in 1998, and revived its pre-revolution winemaking glory by replanting vines on the estate and resuming its long-forgotten winemaking activity. As for the wines, Hervé works with nine hectares of grapes, including many in key Côte de Nuits sites in Chambolle-Musigny and Gevrey-Chambertin, where he makes mostly single-vineyard wines which can express each unique terroir. Laborde wines tend towards red fruit flavors and freshness so they can be enjoyed young, although the Premier Crus are built with enough tannins to age gracefully for several years.