Forts de Latour 1978, the second wine of Château Latour, reveals the gravelly soils of Pauillac. This vintage, marked by notes of prune and tobacco, offers a silky texture and vibrant minerality. Best enjoyed with game, it will reach its peak by 2030.
A historic estate in Pauillac, anchored since the 17th century on the deep gravels of the estuary, Château Latour embodies Bordeaux's demand for excellence – a legacy of precision and patience.
- Terroir: Gravelly and clay-limestone soils of Pauillac, bathed by the Gironde, lending the wines a chalky minerality and a unique tension.
- Vinification: Aged in French oak barrels (including 50% new), respecting natural cycles to produce cuvées with an elegant structure and extended ageing potential.
Tasting notes for Château Latour Forts de Latour 1978
To the eye – A garnet red robe with tiled reflections, dense and luminous, betraying four decades of slow maturation in the bottle.
On the nose – First notes of candied prune and black cherry, then wafts of blond tobacco, damp undergrowth and a hint of liquorice, all lifted by a saline touch reminiscent of the estuary sea spray.
On the palate – A silky texture envelops a lively and precise acidity, while melted yet still present tannins draw out a long, mineral finish, where gentle spices and aged leather intertwine.
Serve at 16 °C in a Bordeaux glass to fully release its evolved bouquet.
Vintage 1978
A year of balance between summer warmth and autumnal freshness, the 1978 now reveals the full depth of a classic Bordeaux vintage, where the ripeness of the grapes is paired with preserved acidity.
- Ageing potential: Ready to drink now or to be kept for another 5 to 8 years in a cool cellar (12–14 °C) away from light, to allow its tertiary aromas to fully develop.