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Les Forts de Latour 2008

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon

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Label

Tasting Notes

A strong effort, this 2008 exhibits a dark ruby/purple color, more minerality than the 2010 and hints of cedarwood, black currants, underbrush and forest floor. This round, generous blend of 66.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33.5% Merlot should easily last for two decades or more.

91
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (194), May 2011

Subtle aromas of currant and raspberry, with a minerally undertone. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a medium finish. A little one-dimensional on the palate, but very good

88/91
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, April 2009

12.7% natural alcohol plus a bit of chaptalisation - natural grape sugar was lower than expected.Second wine. Deep crimson - less blue than the Pauillac. Not much nose. Very cool and tight. Restricted and taut. Very firm. Dry and strict. Wait a long time -pretty solid. Not a charmer. Clean and brisk. Very energetic. A little low key today.

17+
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2009
Read more tasting notes...

The second wine seems to have picked up most of the Merlot from the Latour vineyards (31.5% Merlot and 66.5% Cabernet Sauvignon dominate the blend). The 2008 Les Forts de Latour is a forward, pure wine displaying remarkably sweet tannins along with aromas of black currants, forest floor, and a hint of underbrush. Opulent, round, and generous, it should drink well for 15-20 years, possibly longer given the fact that the 1982 Les Forts de Latour is still a beautiful wine, and it's "only" 27 years of age!

91/93
Robert Parker, RobertParker.com, April 2009

Tasted ex-château and single blind in Southwold. The Les Forts de Latour 2008 has a vivacious, almost exotic bouquet with macerated dark cherries, kirsch, dried orange peel and a hint of mint. The palate has a sweet, succulent entry with good substance, a little chewy in the mouth with a little more extraction than its peers. It has an attractive, almost weightless finish. Very fine. Tasted January 2012.

92
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, January 2012

A blend of 66.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 31.5% Merlot with 2% Petit Verdot, this is a lovely nose, very refined, pure blackberry, cassis, a touch of cedar/pine forest, superb definition - more feminine than usual. Just a touch of dried orange peel in the background. The palate is medium-bodied, fine tannins, very fresh, very precise rather than a powerful, expansive Les Fort. Like the Grand Vin, it has an aloof finish. Well-crafted, wonderful focus if the depth of a great vintage like '05

90/92
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2009
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.