Chateau Les Forts de Latour – Pauillac
The History
Chateau Latour is among the First Growth properties classified in the Bordeaux
1855 Classification. The estate is situated in the southern portion of Pauillac, bordering St. Julien and the Gironde estuary. Latour is considered one of the longest-lasting History:First Growths, reflecting its high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon. The blend is typically 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The fruit is grown in vineyards with notably high levels of gravel and an ideal southeastern exposure. Latour is typified by its concentrated fruit and complexity. Young vintages are forward and jammy with multiple layers of fruit. Aromas include black-currant, cherry and prune, with a dusty bouquet of mint, leather, cedar, and tobacco. Chateau Latour can age a lifetime and should not be approached for ten to twenty years. Some of the best vintages include 1949, 1959, 1961,1982, 1990, and 2000. Chateau Latour also produces a second wine called Les Forts de Latour and a third wine labeled simply Pauillac
The Vineyard
The history of Chateau Latour goes back to the early 14th century when the Brit¬
ish, who controlled the area, built the Saint-Maubert Tower to aid in their defense
during the Hundred Years’ War. The original tower, which gave name to the estate, no longer exists, but a circular tower built in 1620s has since been the vineyard’s symbol. The Segur family owned Chateau Latour from the 17th century until 1963, when it was sold to British companies Harveys of Bristol and the Pearson Group. It was again sold in 1989 to Allied Lyons, and finally to the current owner, Francois Pinault, in 1993.
Tasting Notes
Wine Spectator 93
“Super enticing aromas of crushed raspberries, Indian spices and hints of vanilla.
Full-bodied, with a refined and tight tannin structure and a long, refreshing finish. A beauty. Second wine of Latour. Best Les Forts in years.”