Château Latour: the standard-bearer of the great Pauillacs

Located in Pauillac, Château Latour is probably the most consistent of the Premiers Grands Crus Classés of Bordeaux. Benefiting from an exceptional geographical location, on the banks of the Gironde estuary at the southernmost tip of Pauillac (adjoining Léoville Las Cases and Saint-Julien), this imposing building, noted for its 17th-century tower, has had many owners throughout the ages.

Acquired in 1993 by François Pinault, Château Latour excels in great and lesser vintages alike. Regarded as the pinnacle of Bordeaux's left bank appellations, on a par with Château Lafite Rothschild, it is also the standard-bearer of the great Pauillacs with its rich, powerful profile of great complexity, requiring many years of patience to overcome the austerity so often characteristic of the appellation. Very slow to evolve, its ageing potential easily exceeds 20 years, allowing it to soften its imposing tannins and reveal the delicate aromas of precious wood, tobacco, leather and graphite that define it.

With a total area of 80 hectares, the vineyard is planted with 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. However, the fine wine itself is only vinified from grapes coming from the plot known as l'Enclos: 47 hectares of vines surrounding the château, which will be converted to organic farming from 2015 onwards. Located on a gravelly ridge, Latour benefits from a fortunate combination: the proximity of the Gironde estuary, combined with a layer of gravel on the surface and clay at depth, gives it a terroir of exceptional singularity.

Fermentation and maceration take place in stainless steel vats for approximately 3 weeks. Ageing lasts nearly 2 years in oak barrels (85 to 100% new wood depending on the vintage). With an average yield of 45 hl/ha, nearly 130,000 bottles of Château Latour and 140,000 of Forts de Latour are produced each year. Highly sought after, worldwide demand and prices for Château Latour continue to rise. And this may only be the beginning.

The château's management decided in 2012 to withdraw from the en primeur market in order to offer only wines available for delivery after several years of on-site ageing. This has made the 2012 and subsequent vintages currently unavailable. Enthusiasts in search of better value will nevertheless find the second wine, Les Forts de Latour, to be a compelling option — a cru of very high standing in its own right, in keeping with the estate's reputation. It is certainly the finest second wine among all the 1ers Grands Crus Classés of Bordeaux. The 1989 and 1990 vintages were still drinking particularly well in 2010!  

• Great vintage: 1982, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014
• Fine vintage : 1975, 1978, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2007, 2011, 2012,
• Lesser vintage : 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1997, 2013

  Photo credits: http://www.chateau-latour.com/