Les Forts de Latour

2nd wine - Château Latour

Pauillac

2001

Blend

79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot

Wine designation

Les Forts de Latour, Red, 2001 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

2001

Tasting notes

A mild autumn and winter followed by a cool wet spring, with dry weather during flowering. Summer had occasional storms with gradual ripening. A striking dark red with notes of vanilla and black cherry with licorice. A mouthfeel that gives a striking pure and fruity flavor with fine tannins and great length.

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.