Château Latour-Martillac 2015

The freshness and complexity of a Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé

The estate

Château Latour-Martillac owes its name to a tower in the château's main courtyard. This tower is the remnant of a 12th-century fortress used to control the road from Bordeaux to Toulouse. Owned by the Kressmann family since 1871, Château Latour-Martillac was awarded the title of Cru Classé des Graves for both red and white wines in 1953. Today, Tristan and Loïc Kressmann pursue the family tradition and the art of making great red and white Graves wines with passion and ambition.

The vineyard

A benchmark among Pessac-Léognan wines, Château Latour-Martillac oversees a vineyard enjoying an exceptional location within the appellation. The Martillac plateau is made up of a mosaic of Quaternary gravel, composed of flint, quartz, lydian and jasper. These soils are ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. The property's other main terroir lies close to the Garonne River, where clay-limestone and gravelly soils are found on the land’s surface. This is where Merlot and the estate's white grape varieties, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, are planted.

The vintage

The vines budded late, following a cool March. Mild temperatures in April preceded flowering at the end of May, under optimal climatic conditions. Water stress was avoided thanks to the restorative rains of August, enabling rapid ripening of the grapes.

Winemaking and ageing

Ageing took place in barrels (40% new) over 16 months.

Blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (54%)
Merlot (40%)
Petit Verdot (6%)

Characteristics and tasting tips for Château Latour-Martillac 2015

Tasting

Colour
The wine has a deep garnet red colour.

Nose
The nose is intense, expressing notes of red fruit (raspberries, sour cherries) and black fruit (blackcurrant, blackberries), mingled with woody hints. During aeration, subtle aromas of peony, licorice, crème de cassis and cocoa are released.

Palate
At the same time tight and very dense, the palate delights with its powerful, caressing tannins and with its long, toasted finish.

Storage

Château Latour-Martillac 2015 can be laid down until 2035.

To serve

For the best tasting, this wine should be served between 16 and 18°C.