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 de Bordeaux. Benefiting from an exceptional geographical situation, on the banks of the Gironde estuary and at the southernmost edge of Pauillac (adjoining Léoville Las Cases and Saint-Julien), this imposing estate, remarkable for its 17th-century tower, has had many owners throughout the ages.

Acquired in 1993 by François Pinault, Château Latour excels in great vintages and lesser ones alike. Regarded as one of the pinnacles of the left bank appellations of Bordeaux, 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, which requires many years of patience to move beyond the austerity so often characteristic of the appellation. Very slow to evolve, its aging potential easily exceeds 20 years, allowing its imposing tannins to soften and its delicate aromas of precious wood, tobacco, leather and graphite to reveal themselves.

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 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. Located on a gravelly ridge, Latour benefits from a fortunate combination: the proximity of the Gironde, combined with a layer of gravel at the surface and clay at depth, gives it a terroir of great singularity.

Fermentation and maceration take place in stainless steel vats for approximately 3 weeks. Aging 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, offering only wines available for delivery after several years of aging on site. This has made the 2012 and subsequent vintages currently impossible to find. Enthusiasts in search of better value will, however, be well advised to turn to the second wine, Les Forts de Latour, which also stands out as a cru of very high quality, very much in the image of the estate. It is certainly the finest second wine among all the 1ers Grands Crus Classés de 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/