Château Latour: the flagship of great Pauillacs

Located in Pauillac, Château Latour is probably the most consistent of the First Great Classified Growths of Bordeaux. Benefiting from an exceptional geographical location, on the banks of the Gironde estuary and at the extreme southern limit of Pauillac (it adjoins Léoville Las Cases and Saint Julien), this imposing building marked by its 17th century Tower has had many owners throughout the ages.

Purchased in 1993 by François Pinault, Château Latour excels in both great and lesser vintages. Considered at the summit of appellations from the left bank of Bordeaux, on the same level as Château Lafite Rothschild, it is also the flagship of great Pauillacs with its rich, powerful profile of great complexity that requires many years of waiting to overcome the austerity often characteristic of the appellation. Very slow to evolve, its aging potential easily exceeds 20 years to soften its imposing tannins and reveal its delicate aromas of precious wood, tobacco, leather or graphite that characterize it.

With a total area of 80ha, the vineyard is planted with 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. However, the grand vin is only vinified from grapes from the so-called Enclos plot: 47 ha of vines around the château which will be converted to organic farming from 2015. Located on a gravelly hilltop, Latour benefits from a fortunate combination: the proximity of the Gironde combined with the layer of gravel on the surface and clay in depth gives it a terroir of great singularity.

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

The Château's management decided in 2012 to withdraw from the en primeur market to offer only wines deliverable after a few years of aging on site. This currently makes the 2012 and subsequent vintages unavailable. However, enthusiasts seeking better value will know to turn to the second wine Les Forts de Latour, which also stands out as a very high-level wine, in keeping with the estate. It is certainly the best second wine of all the First Great Classified Growths of Bordeaux. The 1989 and 1990 vintages were still tasting 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/