The Château La Tour Boisée wine domain shares its Minervois terroir at L’Évadé restaurant

This time, let’s discover Château La Tour Boisée, located approximately 20 kilometers east of Carcassonne, is a key reference in the Minervois AOC. This 37-hectare wine estate stretches across clay-limestone and sandstone hillsides, where vines and olive trees mingle.

A family estate since 1826, La Tour Boisée is led by Jean-Louis Poudou, since 1982. This estate, largely restored from 1990, owes its name to the medieval tower, an integral part of the village’s heritage, dating back to the 12th century and still present today in the estate’s garden. A good occasion to explore those southern treasures at the bucolic L’Évadé restaurant in Paris (more details in our article here). By AP

Thus, La Tour Boisée domain wishes to embody much more than a simple wine estate, since it would like to represent a passionate quest to preserve and promote a unique expertise, deeply rooted in an exceptional terroir. Each wine from the estate tells a different story, that of those vines, the family, and respect for nature, where tradition meets innovation, in a resolutely sustainable and environmentally friendly approach. The estate thus continues to be actively involved in preserving its ancestral principles, while remaining open to the necessary developments to offer wines of impeccable quality, able of seducing the most discerning palates (photos credits: La Tour Boisée). 

At La Tour Boisée domain, you would observe that viticulture is based on principles, firmly rooted in tradition and ecology. It is a true community of passionate winegrowers, emphasizing knowledge of the terroir and experimentation, while respecting the environment. Here, winemakers share their experiences, observations, and even feelings, a collaborative process that enriches the work in the vineyards. The approach tends to be above all pragmatic matters, seeking to take into account the needs of the soil and climate, while integrating modernity, where it is deemed relevant.

The estate favors organic farming, but with a unique approach. It is a sort of à la carte approach, based on fundamental rules, respect for fruit ripeness, precision in the art of winemaking, and a constant questioning of the methods used. The estate’s philosophy is distinguished by its rejection of overly simplified frameworks and its efforts to draw on ancestral knowledge, often linked to ancient agricultural practices.

In fact, the Château La Tour Boisée‘s extensive wine selection was introduced through fine food and wine pairings at the Parisian restaurant, named L’Evadé, near the Saint-Lazare train station. Indeed, this tasting session provided an opportunity to explore innovative gastronomic combinations. For example, the meal began with a focaccia, accompanied with olives and Provençal herbs, paired with the Pech Majou rosé 2024, a delicate, balanced, and fruity wine. More exotic dishes followed, such as tuna tataki, with soy and ginger flavors, paired with a 2023 Saint Sernin in white wine (photo credits: AP). 

The tasting continued with scallops accompanied by kalamansi and celery purée, enhanced by the 2022 Marielle et Frédérique also in white wine. The culinary experience concluded with a classic lamb shoulder, adorned with Jerusalem artichokes and chutney, paired with the 2023 Coumo Gascou and 2021 Marielle et Frédérique this time in red wines.

To accompany the dessert part, you may have counted on a bunch of dark chocolate profiteroles, enhanced with pine nut ice cream, were harmoniously served with the 2021 Marie-Claude in red wine, a tribute to Marie-Claude Poudou, wife of owner Jean-Louis Poudou.

Without forgetting the Plantation 1905 cuvée, as an exceptional wine, a true rarity. After nearly being uprooted, this vine, a true ampelographic treasure, is now carefully preserved by the estate. The 2020 Plantation 1905, with its complex aromas of prune, blueberry, blackcurrant, and gingerbread, embodies the history and diversity of the Minervois appellation. At last, the 2021 Marie-Claude in red wine is a blend of Carignan, Grenache Noir, and Syrah, pays tribute to Marie-Claude Poudou. This rich and concentrated wine, with aromas of stewed black fruits and garrigue, is ideal with dishes in sauce, or any spicy dishes. 

Domaine La Tour Boisée, 1 Rue du Château d’Eau, 11800 Laure-Minervois (France) / Phone : 00 33 (0)4 68 78 10 04. More details on their official website.