Château Latour-Martillac

History of Château Latour-Martillac

The history of Château Latour-Martillac dates back to the 12th century, when the tower that gives the estate its name was erected by the ancestors of the philosopher Montesquieu. This medieval fortification, which originally stood as a strategic defense point between Bordeaux and Toulouse, testifies to the rich historical past of the property. It was not until the late 19th century, in 1871, that the modern history of the estate began to take shape under the impetus of Édouard Kressmann, a Bordeaux wine merchant of Rhenish origin. Attracted by the exceptional quality of the white wines produced from the gravelly hilltop of Martillac, Kressmann fell under the spell of the estate and decided to develop it.

The acquisition of the estate by Alfred Kressmann, son of Édouard, in 1930, marks a decisive turning point. He renamed the property Château Latour-Martillac in order to distinguish it from its Médoc namesake, Château Latour. From that moment on, the estate began to make a name for itself in the Bordeaux wine world, particularly thanks to its exceptional white and red wines. Jean Kressmann, Alfred's son, would continue this work by expanding the vineyard and restructuring the property, particularly after World War II. Jean also played an important role in the creation of the Pessac-Léognan appellation in 1987.

Today, Tristan and Loïc Kressmann, Jean's sons, carry on the family tradition, making the most of this unique terroir with the help of Bordeaux's finest oenologists.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Château Latour-Martillac

The vineyard of Château Latour-Martillac extends over 54 hectares, with 45 hectares dedicated to red grape varieties and 9 hectares to white grape varieties. It is divided into two homogeneous sections, offering a diversity of soils and microclimates conducive to the optimal expression of the cultivated grape varieties.

The Martillac plateau is characterized by deep gravel, a mosaic of small pebbles consisting of quartz, lydian stone, jasper, and flint deposited by the Garonne during the Quaternary period. This poor, well-drained soil promotes deep rooting of the vines and ensures homogeneous maturation of red grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. These conditions allow the grapes to fully express their noble character, with silky tannins and rich aromatic intensity.

Descending towards the Garonne, the soils become more clay-limestone, with gravel on the surface. This terroir is ideal for white grape varieties, particularly Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, which compose the estate's renowned white wines. The oldest parcel, named Grapecap, was planted in 1884 and is home to historic vines of Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle. These century-old vines offer grapes of exceptional quality, bursting with complex flavors and great freshness.

Vinifications at Château Latour-Martillac

Château Latour-Martillac places paramount importance on the quality of its vinifications, whether for red wines or white wines. Each stage, from harvest to bottling, is carried out with meticulous care to guarantee exceptional wines, faithful to the terroir and family tradition.

The harvests are carried out entirely by hand, with meticulous sorting of the bunches in the vineyard and then in the cellar. For white grape varieties, the Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon are harvested in several passes, according to their degree of maturity, and transported in crates to preserve their integrity. The grapes are then pressed slowly, allowing a gentle extraction of the aromas and flavors from the skins. The musts are naturally clarified before being placed in barrels for fermentation and aging on lees. This process includes regular bâtonnage, which brings structure and complexity to the final wine.

For red wines, the bunches are also carefully sorted after destemming. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, allowing perfect temperature control and optimal tannin extraction. Each parcel is vinified separately, in order to respect the specificity of each terroir. The red wines are then aged between 15 and 18 months in French oak barrels, renewed each year by one third. This long aging gives the wines silky tannins and exceptional aging potential.

The Cuvées of Château Latour-Martillac

Château Latour-Martillac offers several cuvées, each embodying the excellence of the estate and the authenticity of the Graves terroir.

Château Latour-Martillac Rouge - Grand Cru Classé de Graves  

Composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (35%), and Petit Verdot (5%), Château Latour-Martillac red offers a perfect balance between power and finesse. Aromas of black fruits, blackcurrant, and cocoa blend with subtle woody notes. This wine is both elegant and structured, with well-coated tannins and beautiful length on the palate. It ages admirably, revealing over time more complex aromas and a velvety texture.

Château Latour-Martillac Blanc - Grand Cru Classé de Graves

Crafted from Sauvignon Blanc (60%) and Sémillon (40%), this great white wine is recognized for its finesse and freshness. Aromas of exotic fruits, grapefruit, and white flowers harmonize with a minerality characteristic of the terroir. On the palate, it reveals a lively acidity perfectly balanced by the roundness of the Sémillons. This wine can be enjoyed in its youth or after a few years of aging, where it gains depth and complexity.

Lagrave-Martillac Red and White  

The estate's second wine, Lagrave-Martillac, exists in both red and white versions. In red, the blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot offers an accessible wine, with aromas of red fruits and a beautiful tannic structure. In white, the marriage of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon creates a fresh, lively, and aromatic wine, ideal for a more casual tasting.

La Croix Martillac Red and White

More recently introduced, La Croix Martillac is the estate's third wine. It reflects the same care given to the other cuvées, with quality wines that lend themselves to more immediate consumption, while retaining the elegance specific to Château Latour-Martillac.

The vintages of Graves and Pessac-Léognan, two appellations of Bordeaux, are distinguished by their consistent quality. The years 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, and 1990 are particularly appreciated for their finesse and balance. The vintages 1998, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2010 are also remarkable for their structure and aging potential. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 confirm the continuity of this excellence, with wines offering both elegance and longevity.

Explore all the Grands Crus Classés of Graves, an appellation renowned for the diversity and quality of its wines. At the top of the list, the Premier Grand Cru Classé of 1855, Château Haut-Brion from Pessac-Léognan, is a historic reference. For red and white wines, estates such as Château Bouscaut, Château Carbonnieux, Château Malartic-Lagravière, Château Olivier, Château Latour-Martillac, and Domaine de Chevalier offer interesting cuvées. On the red side, you can discover the wines of Château Fieuzal, Château Haut-Bailly, Château Latour Haut-Brion, Château La Mission Haut-Brion, Château Pape-Clément, and Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte. White wine enthusiasts can turn to the productions of Château Couhins, Château Couhins Lurton, and Château Laville Haut-Brion. These estates offer you a wide range of wines to discover in the heart of the Graves region.

Château Latour-Martillac, with its historic roots and family expertise passed down from generation to generation, remains an essential reference in the Bordeaux wine landscape. Its wines, whether red or white, reflect the richness of its terroir and the meticulous attention given to each stage of their production. Offering excellent value for money, the estate's wines are elegant, complex, and suitable for aging. Whether you are an enthusiast or a connoisseur, the wines of Château Latour-Martillac will seduce with their authenticity and finesse.