Les Forts de Latour, Pauillac,

This great and historic estate is rightly regarded as one of the preeminent properties in Bordeaux and one of the greatest wines of the world. Along with Lafite Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild, Latour completes the three First Growths of Pauillac. It has become synonymous with wines of gravitas, scale and tremendous aging potential.

The last change of ownership occurred in 1993, when the billionaire, François Pinault returned this bastion of Bordeaux to French hands. He appointed the meticulous Frédéric Engerer as technical Director, and Latour has enjoyed a period of unparalleled success ever since. It’s a marriage of meticulous, perfectionist viticulture and wine-making and extraordinary terroir.

The grand vin hails from the 47 Hectare “Grand Enclos”, the vineyards which surrounds the winery and abuts the Clos of Leoville Las Cases in St Julien to the south. The topsoil is made up of Gunzian gravel, brought to the area from the Pyrenees and the Massif Central during the Pleistocene with a subsoil of marl and clay above a deeper ridge of limestone. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant varietal (80%), with Merlot (18%) and Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot accounting for just 2% of plantings. The excellent second wine, Les Forts de Latour is arguably equal to notable Second Growths, however, demand from Asia ensures a luxury price tag... There is also a third wine, simply called “Pauillac”.

Sadly, the Chateau’s board decided to remove Latour from the en primeur market. 2011 was the last vintage released as a future. The strategy to offer mature wines from their cellars is well established now, with a major release each March and a smaller proposal in September.