Les Forts de Latour

2nd wine - Château Latour

Pauillac

2018

Blend

65.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 0.4% Petit Verdot

Wine designation

Les Forts de Latour, Red, 2018 Category: Pauillac, Bordeaux

Food pairing

Pair with some of Bordeaux’s finest dishes: an entrecôte with a red wine and shallot sauce to a roasted duck with a Porto reduction.

Les Forts de Latour

2nd wine - Château Latour

Pauillac

2018

Tasting notes

A vintage that recorded lower yields, but exceptional quality and concentration producing a complexity of dark fruit aromatics with violet petals and pencil lead. A formidable structure with fine tannins, concentrated flavors and an elegant finish.

Vineyard

Vineyard size: 95 hectares total with 47 hectares called « l’Enclos ».

Soil composition: Gravel hilltops about 12 to 16 meters above the Gironde estuary with l’Enclos being primarily clay dominant gravel and the perimeter being primarily sandy gravel.

Winemaking

Fermentation container: Hand-picked, placed into crates to avoid crushing, before being sorted in two steps.

Maceration technique: Vinification with separation of each plot into stainless steel tanks with temperature control – vatting time 3 weeks.

Type of aging container: Barrel for 2 years with hermetique sealed by turning the barrel by 1/4 turn.

Age of aging container: 50% new barrels

Type of oak: French

Winemaker: Frédéric Engerer

Consulting œnologist: Eric Boissenot

Heritage in the vineyard

Domaine

Originally referred to in 1331 as a position to build a fortified tower and garrison to guard the estuary. In the hands of the Mullet family until late 17th century. After which, the estate became the property of Alexandre de Ségur, who also purchased additional estates in the Médoc. Bequeathed to his son in 1716, Alexandre de Ségur, also called « Prince of the Vines ». Already gaining recognition, trade flourished. Remaining majoritarily in the hands of the Ségur family until 1962. In 1993, Mr François Pinault purchased the majority stake via his holding company Artémis. Renovations have been regular to uphold the pursuit of excellence at Latour.

Green in the vineyard

Environmental practices

Seeking to integrate environmental balance and respect the relationship between the biodiversity and the vines to encourage the plants natural system of defense. As of 2008, horses have been re-introduced to the estate to till the soil. As well as an organic certification for the entire estate in 2015. Biodynamic practices have begun for l’Enclos, with a gentle conversion planned for the entire estate.