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Chateau Latour
: There is no greater benefit to winemaking than the special connection between land and grape. This natural, but magical symbiosis creates a truly magnificent wine that is a reflection of the environment in which it is cultivated. The First Growth property of Chateau Latour, and its prized Enclos vineyard, is said to possess the greatest terroir in all of Bordeaux. This incredible sense of place has placed Chateau Latour in its own unique class.
To understand the superior qualities of Latour wines, one must consider its superb location in Bordeaux. Latour is located in the heart of the Medoc wine region, in the appellation of Pauillac (home to 3 of the 5 First Growths). The chateau’s prime terroir, Enclos vineyard, overlooks the Gironde estuary; the river that has helped shape the region for centuries, giving the vineyard its geological complexity and on a daily basis, ensures a mild climate. The estate’s proximity to the a large mass of water gives its special character and tempers any extreme weather conditions, especially any possible cold spells early in the growth cycle and also enabling earlier ripening of the grapes, which is an important factor as the harvest approaches.
Chateau Latour’s vineyard is a magnificent mosaic of vines, some of which are a hundred years old, each contributing its share of magic to the wines every year. There are currently 92 hectares under vine, including the 47 that surround the chateau, known as Enclos. This beloved parcel is the chief source of the estate’s Grand Vin. The vineyard consists of a hilltop that rises 16 meters above the level of the Gironde, encircled to the north and south by two streams and to the east by the Palus (a marshland on the edge of the Gironde). In the heart of Enclos, the terroir is composed of large gravel stones, smaller gravel stones or pebbles and a very particular type of clay called “Argile Gonfiante”, which is incredibly dense. These tremendous gravely soils are perfectly suited for Cabernet Sauvignon and grants the wines an immense sense of place.
Most of the Merlot resides in the lower parcels of the Enclos section where the gravel layers are not as prominent, nor as deep. It is the depth of the gravels along with the rich clay that creates the uniqueness of Chateau Latour. In that section the marls and clay are more apparent in the soils. Small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot in the vines are more likely field blends as they are found inside the vines of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. On average the vines are 40 years of age, with some vines over 100 years of age.
The remaining vineyard space, outside of Enclos, consists of several handsome plots that have been acquired over the estate’s long history and is reserved for the second wine, Les Forts de Latour. The estate produces a third wine, Le Pauillac de Chateau Latour and is fashioned from grapes that were deemed not good enough to be placed in Les Forts de Latour.
In its entirety, the property is planted to 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Annual production ranges between 10,000 and 12,000 cases. The Grand Vin represents only 37% of total production, while the remaining production comes from Les Forts and the Le Pauillac. Considering the massive amount of demand, not much is made.
Of course, without human intervention, the magical combination of terroir and grapes would be fruitless. The knowledge and understanding of terroir and the cultivation of grapes in the most hospitable soil is a crucial factor to creating a world-class wine. Chateau Latour is like no other Bordeaux wine; it has been the most consistent of the First Growth chateau from the Medoc for over 100 years. Since 1996, Latour has been producing some of the best wines in their history.
Latour wine combines power, concentration, purity, just a hint of austerity and a regal bearing. Mature wines are full-bodied, power coupled with that beautiful purity of fruit, velvet, refined tannins and layers of cassis, earth, truffle, spice and tobacco flavors. Latour is not a wine to drink young. It is far too tannic, powerful and reserved during its youth. It is better consumed when mature. It is usually better with at least 15 years of bottle age. Maturity peak is between 18 and 60 years of age after the vintage. Latour wines have remarkable staying power and have the ability to age gracefully for decades, making it one of the longest living wines in the world.
In 2012, Latour announced that they would no longer be selling wine as futures. 2011 was the final year Chateau Latour was sold En Primeur. Latour began releasing their wines when they were considered “ready to drink”. The 2012 vintage was released in 2020. It was the first vintage release in nearly a decade (8 years) since its departure from the En Primeur system. This is an incredibly unique stance the chateau has taken and speaks volume to its determination to offer only the very best product to its consumers.
Additionally, as of 2019, the entire vineyard was certified as being 100% organic, which makes a huge statement in Bordeaux. The Enclos vineyard is entirely plowed by horses, which benefits the vineyard by placing less strain on the vines, that machinery typically would. To defend against disease, Latour relies on a myriad of different plants, copper and sulfur, which are all found in nature. All fertilizers are 100% organic.
With one of the most recognizable labels (which depicts the famous Saint-Laurent Tower, which has resided on the property since the 14th Century) in the world of wine, Chateau Latour has become a beacon for serious wine enthusiasts and collectors alike, drawing extreme interest on the wine market, which it has accomplished for centuries. The trademark tower gracing the label is but a symbol of the estate’s prestige. The true magical allure resides within the bottle, which has consistently propelled Latour to prominence each year.
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