La Tour Gallus, born from Gabbro in Gorges
La Tour Gallus Estate, born from Gabbro in Gorges, cultivates 15 hectares of melon de bourgogne using organic and biodynamic methods, creating aged wines revealed by a remarkable terroir.
A STORY OF PASSION AND COMMITMENT
La Tour Gallus is a family-owned Muscadet estate based in Gorges since 1620, passed down through nine generations and rooted in an exceptional terroir, the Gabbro. Under the leadership of Damien Rineau, the estate has played a key role in establishing Gorges as a communal cru, a symbol of Muscadet’s rebirth. Acquired in 2024 by Thierry Denjean, the estate continues its journey through a smooth transition with a new, dedicated team.
A UNIQUE TERROIR: GABBRO
La Tour Gallus is situated on a special terroir of gabbro, a dark, non-calcareous magmatic rock found almost exclusively in Gorges. Originating from the Armorican Massif, this clay-rich soil—which is difficult to work—gives the wines a unique character and great depth.
Gabbro is well-suited to the challenges of climate change thanks to its high capacity for water retention and release.
THE BENEFITS OF LONG AGEING
At La Tour Gallus, extended ageing on fine lees is essential to the style of our wines, providing richness, aromatic complexity, and excellent ageing potential. Carried out without racking, in a reductive environment, this process preserves the wine’s freshness and allows for slow development, sometimes over several years.
This ageing takes place in underground “Nantes-style” vats, where the stable temperature and optimal contact with the lees contribute to the harmony and natural purity of the wines.
WINES WITH PERSONALITY
La Tour Gallus explores the Gabbro terroir in four stages, illustrating the purity, precision and remarkable ageing potential of Gorges’ wines. From the 2023 La Tour Gallus cuvée to the extensively aged Gorges vintages such as the 2019, or even L’Intuition 2006, the tasting celebrates time as a key element of the estate’s identity.
La Tour Gallus 2023
RVF Green Guide, 88/100
Fleur de Gabbro 2023
RVF Green Guide 89/100
Gorges 2019
RVF Green Guide 94/100 *, Hachette Guide **
L’Intuition 2006
L’intuition, a wine of the highest quality, aged for 218 months in the cellar.
RVF 94/100
Honoring the vineyard and all its living elements
La Tour Gallus vineyard covers 15 hectares planted with Melon de Bourgogne, an iconic grape variety that truly reflects the terroir.
The transition to organic agriculture, which began in 2020, is now being extended through a biodynamic approach that encourages the vines to develop deep roots.
With vines averaging 50 years old, the estate enjoys a high concentration of flavour and excellent structure.
Life at the estate
This instagram page offers an up-close look at life on the estate and how it changes with the seasons.
