The Legendary Château Latour

 

For many wine lovers, Château Latour is one of the greatest producers on Bordeaux's Left Bank and makes the finest examples of Cabernet Sauvignon. For me, it was the first First Growth I tasted and a wine I fell in love with. In the best vintages, Latour is simply monumental: powerful, opulent and of enormous aging potential. Even in lesser years, Latour’s marvelous terroir is able to produce a great wine that is ready for early drinking and will continue to evolve beautifully.

While the Grand Vin of Latour certainly attracts the spotlight, Les Forts de Latour, the second wine, is many wine lovers’ go-to. Its amazing resemblance to the first wine and outstanding quality is thanks to the same meticulous handling in the vineyard and winery as the Grand Vin receives. In good years, it outperforms many Grand Cru Classé wines. I recommend Les Forts de Latour 2012 for its all-around excellence combining concentration and balance, and the 2013 for its generosity of fruits and elegant styling. Both vintages are drinking unbelievably well now.

For serious connoisseurs, I love Latour 1996 for its ripe fruit and chewy tannins that provide a solid backbone and a lovely, long finish. One of the greatest recent vintages in Bordeaux, the 2005 from Latour is bright, carries abundant tannins, and shows structure that needs at least one hour to breathe before drinking. Latour 2006 is perfumed and expressive while 2008 is rich and dense. Both can be opened now to enjoy their youthful charm, or cellared for further development of flavor.

I am delighted to offer these ex-chateau bottlings of Château Latour and Les Forts de Latour. Ex-chateau is the best guarantee of quality and provenance one can obtain on the market today, as Latour no longer participates in the En Primeur campaign. Please see our selection below, which is available for immediate delivery and enjoyment.