Latour
About Château Latour
Latour has, in many ways, always been the most forward-thinking and disruptive First Growth, ever since its original rise to prominence under the Ségur family in the 18th century. Its decision not to participate in En Primeur had a rippling effect throughout the fine wine world, and whilst it has not precipitated a broader move away from the system by other estates, the vast majority of Bordelais properties have certainly reduced the amount of their wine offered in this way choosing to hold back stock to be released upon maturity. A sign of Latour's influence upon the entire region.
The Vineyard and the Wine
There is an ancient Médoc saying - to make great wine, you must be able to see the water. No other First Growth is closer to the Gironde's estuary than this imposing estate, contributing to simply extraordinary terroir which means that Latour has an enviable (and uncanny) ability to produce outstanding wine in difficult years. In favourable years, the vineyard soaks up extra heat reflected from the water's surface. In unpleasant years, the property is protected from extremes by the moderating effect of the estuary's regulatory benefits.
This dream terroir allows the winemaking team to focus on a variety of aspects of viticulture safe in the knowledge that nature will see them through the worst - and focus they have! Ever the pioneers, Latour was one of the first châteaux to introduce cutting-edge processes such as satellite imaging of distinct plots, sensors assessing vine vigour and even wind-direction monitoring before the application of fully biodynamic treatments.
Château Latour has a distinctly high proportion of clay in the soil throughout its vineyard. Whilst unusual for Pauillac, it is, in fact, the very same clay upon which the vines of Château Pétrus are planted in Pomerol. Obviously found in far smaller quantities and dominated by glorious Left Bank gravel, the result of this composition is a wine of unfathomable texture, richness, concentration and spine-tingling freshness - for which Latour garnered the epithet "an iron fist in a velvet glove".
-
Wine Advocate (99)
A hot, dry August produced very concentrated grapes in 1996. However, it turned a bit rainy in mid-September through early October, making the vintage less consistent on the Right Bank and in Graves. But as the weather turned glorious from early October on, it was an amazing year for later-harvested Cabernet in the Médoc. There was new ownership at Latour by this time, and a new vat room was completed just prior to the harvest this year. The 1996 Latour is medium to deep garnet in color with a profound earthy, meaty, gamey nose with hints of blueberry preserves, crème de cassis and pencil shavings. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated and packed with muscular fruit, with a firm, ripe, grainy backbone and epically long finish. Showing much more youthfully than the 2000 tasted on the same day and still possessing bags of youthful fruit in the mid-palate, this beauty is going to go on and on!Inc. VAT£8,187.67 -
Wine Advocate (99)
A hot, dry August produced very concentrated grapes in 1996. However, it turned a bit rainy in mid-September through early October, making the vintage less consistent on the Right Bank and in Graves. But as the weather turned glorious from early October on, it was an amazing year for later-harvested Cabernet in the Médoc. There was new ownership at Latour by this time, and a new vat room was completed just prior to the harvest this year. The 1996 Latour is medium to deep garnet in color with a profound earthy, meaty, gamey nose with hints of blueberry preserves, crème de cassis and pencil shavings. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated and packed with muscular fruit, with a firm, ripe, grainy backbone and epically long finish. Showing much more youthfully than the 2000 tasted on the same day and still possessing bags of youthful fruit in the mid-palate, this beauty is going to go on and on!Inc. VAT£4,046.44 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)
One of the most pleasant surprises in this tasting, the 2002 Latour is just beginning to show the full breadth of its aromatic complexity, but it is also has more than enough depth to drink well for several decades. Tar, graphite, incense and smoke open up in the glass in a Latour that leans towards the more delicate, feminine side of things. Silky tannins add polish and creaminess through to the finish. The 2002 is surprisingly delicious today for a young Latour, but it also has the pedigree and density to age nicely for decades.Inc. VAT£6,579.67 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)
One of the most pleasant surprises in this tasting, the 2002 Latour is just beginning to show the full breadth of its aromatic complexity, but it is also has more than enough depth to drink well for several decades. Tar, graphite, incense and smoke open up in the glass in a Latour that leans towards the more delicate, feminine side of things. Silky tannins add polish and creaminess through to the finish. The 2002 is surprisingly delicious today for a young Latour, but it also has the pedigree and density to age nicely for decades.Inc. VAT£3,519.64 -
Wine Spectator (92)
Amazing aromas of crushed berries and fresh flowers. Full-bodied, with wonderfully velvety tannins and a long, long finish. This wine has wonderful texture and length. What a second wine!--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2008. -JSInc. VAT£3,448.87 -
Wine Advocate (92)
A classic second wine that shows outstanding potential, the dark ruby/purple-colored 2002 has notes of cedar wood, black currants, earth, and truffles in a medium to full-bodied, supple-textured, beautifully concentrated style that can be drunk now or cellared for 10-15 years.Inc. VAT£2,198.47
-
Wine Advocate (99)
A hot, dry August produced very concentrated grapes in 1996. However, it turned a bit rainy in mid-September through early October, making the vintage less consistent on the Right Bank and in Graves. But as the weather turned glorious from early October on, it was an amazing year for later-harvested Cabernet in the Médoc. There was new ownership at Latour by this time, and a new vat room was completed just prior to the harvest this year. The 1996 Latour is medium to deep garnet in color with a profound earthy, meaty, gamey nose with hints of blueberry preserves, crème de cassis and pencil shavings. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated and packed with muscular fruit, with a firm, ripe, grainy backbone and epically long finish. Showing much more youthfully than the 2000 tasted on the same day and still possessing bags of youthful fruit in the mid-palate, this beauty is going to go on and on!In Bond£6,791.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
A hot, dry August produced very concentrated grapes in 1996. However, it turned a bit rainy in mid-September through early October, making the vintage less consistent on the Right Bank and in Graves. But as the weather turned glorious from early October on, it was an amazing year for later-harvested Cabernet in the Médoc. There was new ownership at Latour by this time, and a new vat room was completed just prior to the harvest this year. The 1996 Latour is medium to deep garnet in color with a profound earthy, meaty, gamey nose with hints of blueberry preserves, crème de cassis and pencil shavings. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated and packed with muscular fruit, with a firm, ripe, grainy backbone and epically long finish. Showing much more youthfully than the 2000 tasted on the same day and still possessing bags of youthful fruit in the mid-palate, this beauty is going to go on and on!In Bond£3,356.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)
One of the most pleasant surprises in this tasting, the 2002 Latour is just beginning to show the full breadth of its aromatic complexity, but it is also has more than enough depth to drink well for several decades. Tar, graphite, incense and smoke open up in the glass in a Latour that leans towards the more delicate, feminine side of things. Silky tannins add polish and creaminess through to the finish. The 2002 is surprisingly delicious today for a young Latour, but it also has the pedigree and density to age nicely for decades.In Bond£5,451.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)
One of the most pleasant surprises in this tasting, the 2002 Latour is just beginning to show the full breadth of its aromatic complexity, but it is also has more than enough depth to drink well for several decades. Tar, graphite, incense and smoke open up in the glass in a Latour that leans towards the more delicate, feminine side of things. Silky tannins add polish and creaminess through to the finish. The 2002 is surprisingly delicious today for a young Latour, but it also has the pedigree and density to age nicely for decades.In Bond£2,917.00 -
Wine Spectator (92)
Amazing aromas of crushed berries and fresh flowers. Full-bodied, with wonderfully velvety tannins and a long, long finish. This wine has wonderful texture and length. What a second wine!--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2008. -JSIn Bond£2,842.00 -
Wine Advocate (92)
A classic second wine that shows outstanding potential, the dark ruby/purple-colored 2002 has notes of cedar wood, black currants, earth, and truffles in a medium to full-bodied, supple-textured, beautifully concentrated style that can be drunk now or cellared for 10-15 years.In Bond£1,800.00