| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
First produced in 1966, this is not really a second wine as it is produced from separate parts of the vineyard near to Pichon Lalande which contain many old vines, as well as from some vats sourced from the enclos that are not quite up to the standards of the Grand Vin de Château Latour. Grapes from the vineyard's young vines do not go into Les Forts de Latour but are used for the very good "Pauillac de Latour" and a further amount for the 4th wine, that is Chateau bottled but not released under the Chateau label. Les Forts de Latour is clearly the equivalent of a top classed growth and consistently matches the likes of the Pichons and Lynch Bages in blind tastings. It is not sold en primeur and the latest vintage to be released was the 2013 in March 2019. the 2018 blend is 65.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot and 0.4% Petit Verdot. 42% of the total production.
The 2019 Les Forts de Latour opens in the glass with aromas of cassis, wild berries, sweet spices, cigar wrapper and a deft application of creamy new oak. Full-bodied, layered and velvety, it’s a deep, muscular wine with rich tannins, lively acids and a long, resonant finish. As readers will know, it mostly derives from dedicated parcels located further inland from Latour's famous "Enclos," next to Château Haut-Batailley. It's a fabulous effort that would clearly merit classified growth status in its own right were the 1855 classification ever to be revised. 2029 - 2055
