Château Latour

History of Château Latour

The history of Château Latour began in 1331, when Gaucelme de Castillon received permission to build a fortified tower in the parish of Saint-Maubert, near the Gironde estuary. Mentioned in Jean Froissart’s Chronicles in 1378, the “Tower of Saint-Maubert” played a strategic role during the Hundred Years’ War, protecting the estuary against Anglo-Gascon attacks. Although this original tower has disappeared, a round tower erected around 1620 became the estate’s emblem and is depicted on the bottle label.

From the end of the 16th century, the estate produced enough wine to meet local needs, but it was from the 18th century onward, under the stewardship of the Ségur family, that Château Latour entered a new era. Alexandre de Ségur, followed by his son Nicolas-Alexandre, nicknamed the “Prince of Vines” by Louis XV, elevated the estate to the highest rank. Also owners of Château Lafite and Château Mouton, the Ségurs left their mark on the history of Bordeaux wine. From 1714 onward, Château Latour wines were exported to the United Kingdom, where a refined aristocracy embraced them, driving their prices far above those of ordinary Bordeaux wines.

In the 19th century, despite the upheavals of the French Revolution, the estate retained its integrity and remained in the hands of the descendants of Ségur. In 1842, a Société Civile was created to manage the property, a structure that remained in place until 1962. This period saw Château Latour emerge as one of the five First Growths classified in 1855, alongside Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Margaux, Château Haut-Brion, and, later, Château Mouton Rothschild. Between 1962 and 1993, British investors such as Pearson and Harveys of Bristol took majority control, modernizing the facilities and replanting the vineyard. In 1993, François Pinault acquired the majority of the shares through his holding company Artémis, marking the beginning of a pursuit of excellence under the leadership of Frédéric Engerer, president since 1998. This period was marked by major investments, notably the renovation of the cellars between 1999 and 2003, and the adoption of biodynamic and organic practices, strengthening Château Latour’s global reputation.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Latour

The Château Latour vineyard, spanning 96.5 hectares, is a model of exceptional terroir. At the heart of this estate lies the Enclos, a 47-hectare walled vineyard near the château, reserved exclusively for the production of Château Latour’s fine wine. This unique terroir, overlooking the Gironde estuary from 12 to 16 meters above sea level, benefits from remarkable geology: Günzian gravel at the surface, mixed with stones and pebbles, rests on a clay and marl subsoil. This combination provides optimal drainage and regulated water supply, essential for the vines, even in extreme vintages such as 2003 or 2010.

The Enclos is divided into two main soil types: clay-gravel soils in the center, where Cabernet Sauvignon expresses all its power, and gravelly sands on the outskirts, ideal for Merlot. The estate’s grape varieties consist of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, with Cabernet Franc having been gradually phased out of the fine wine since 2017. The high planting density of 10,000 vines per hectare encourages limited production of exceptional quality, with each vine drawing deeply from the clay subsoil to produce concentrated, structured grapes.

Since 2008, Château Latour has adopted environmentally responsible practices. The introduction of horses to plow the soils reduces compaction and preserves vine vitality. In 2015, the entire vineyard obtained organic farming certification from ECOCERT, and the 47 hectares of the Enclos have been farmed biodynamically, although without official certification. These practices, combined with an ancestral drainage system dating from the 19th century, help preserve the terroir’s singularity and produce wines of incomparable purity and complexity.

Winemaking at Château Latour

Winemaking at Château Latour is a model of precision and rigor, combining tradition with cutting-edge technology. Harvesting, carried out by hand in 8 kg crates to preserve the integrity of the berries, generally begins in mid-September and continues until mid-October. Each parcel is harvested at its optimum ripeness, determined by analyses, berry tastings, and weather forecasts.

Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes are destemmed and crushed, then sorted in two stages to remove any vegetal matter or imperfect berries. They are then transferred by gravity to one of 80 temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, ranging in size from 12 to 164 hectoliters. This diversity allows for precise parcel-by-parcel vinification, based on grape variety, vine age, and soil characteristics. Alcoholic fermentation lasts around three weeks, during which the grapes’ richness is carefully extracted.

After free-run draining, which separates the wine from the pomace, malolactic fermentation takes place in vats or barrels, giving the wine roundness and suppleness. The pomace is pressed separately to produce press wine, aged apart while awaiting blending. From January onward, Frédéric Engerer, assisted by oenologist Éric Boissenot, tastes each lot to compose the fine wine, Les Forts de Latour, and Pauillac de Latour. The fine wine is aged exclusively in new French oak barrels from the forests of central France. During the first months, the barrels, sealed with a glass bung, encourage subtle gaseous exchanges. Topping up twice daily compensates for absorption and evaporation.

Before summer, the barrels are transferred to the second-year cellar for 10 to 13 months of aging, protected from temperature fluctuations. Egg-white fining, followed by a final racking, refines the wine. Bottling, determined through tasting, takes place when the wine reaches a perfect balance between finesse and structure, generally in mid-June. Since 2012, Château Latour has kept its wines bottled at the estate, releasing them only when they are ready to drink: 8 to 10 years for the fine wine, 6 to 8 years for Les Forts de Latour, and 4 to 6 years for Pauillac de Latour.

The Wines of Château Latour

Fine Wine of Château Latour

The fine wine of Château Latour, produced exclusively from the old vines of the Enclos, is a monument of Bordeaux winemaking. Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, sometimes with a touch of Petit Verdot, it embodies the quintessence of Pauillac. Its deep, complex nose reveals aromas of black fruit, fine wood, sweet spices, and tobacco. On the palate, it offers firm yet elegant tannins, a full-bodied structure, and exceptional length. This wine, with outstanding aging potential and capable of maturing for more than 30 years, reaches its peak after 15 to 60 years. With an average annual production of 100,000 bottles (30 to 35% of total production), it is prized by collectors and Château Latour wine enthusiasts. 

Les Forts de Latour

Les Forts de Latour, the estate’s second wine, is made from younger vines in the Enclos and from outside parcels such as Petit Batailley and Pinada. With around 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, it is aged for 18 months in barrels, 50% of which are new. This wine, rivaling many classified growths, offers remarkable elegance and depth, with fruity and spicy notes. Produced at around 150,000 bottles per year, it is more approachable earlier than the fine wine while retaining excellent aging potential.

Pauillac de Latour

Pauillac de Latour, the estate’s third wine, comes from young vines in outside parcels. Introduced in 1965 and produced regularly since 1990, it appeals through its approachability and freshness. Less complex than its elders, it remains an excellent ambassador for the Pauillac appellation, ideal for early drinking.

Château Latour’s Best Vintages According to Robert Parker

Château Latour, an icon of Pauillac, has captivated Robert Parker with exceptional 100/100-rated vintages, notably 1899, 1949, 1961, 1982, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2016, and 2018. The 2019 and 2020 vintages, with an impressive score of 99/100, confirm the consistency of this legendary estate. The 1959 and 2005 vintages, rated 98/100, also illustrate the exceptional quality and longevity of Château Latour wines, true benchmarks in the world of Bordeaux classified growths.

The Great Vintages of Pauillac

Pauillac, a flagship appellation of the Médoc, is celebrated for its red wines of incomparable elegance and power. Among the historic vintages, 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989, and 1990 stand out for their aromatic complexity and remarkable aging potential. The 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003, and 2005 vintages shine for their intensity and balance. More recently, the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 vintages have reinforced Pauillac’s reputation, offering structured, refined wines perfectly suited to extended aging.

The Other First Growth Châteaux

Immerse yourself in the refined world of the First Growths, recognized by the 1855 classification and representing the excellence of Bordeaux wines. In Pauillac, Château Latour, Château Lafite-Rothschild, and Château Mouton Rothschild elevate Cabernet Sauvignon, producing red wines with robust structure, captivating complexity, and exceptional aging potential. In Margaux, Château Margaux charms with its finesse and delicate aromas, embodying unparalleled sophistication. In Pessac-Léognan, Château Haut-Brion expresses the singularity of its gravelly terroir, combining power and elegance. Finally, Château d’Yquem, the treasure of Sauternes, excels with its sweet wines of remarkable richness and longevity, ideal for lovers of exceptional sweet wines. Discover our selection of First Growths for a unique wine experience!

Château Latour is a symbol of Bordeaux excellence. Its exceptional terroir, centuries-old history, and commitment to organic and biodynamic practices make it a truly distinctive estate. Whether you are looking for a Château Latour 1982, a recent vintage such as Château Latour 2016, or a rare bottle to enrich your cellar, our online store offers an exclusive selection to meet your expectations. With wines renowned for their consistency, even in challenging vintages, Château Latour guarantees unforgettable emotions with every tasting. Explore our collection and be captivated by the timeless elegance of this First Growth at the best price!