Château Latour-Martillac : Grapecap 1884 2021

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Grapecap 1884 2021 Cuvée from Latour-Martillac

Tasting

Nose
With aeration, the nose gradually reveals subtle fruity fragrances and fresh verbena.

Palate
The palate is juicy, marked by notes of apricot, almond and finely roasted hazelnut.

A rare wine from an exceptional terroir and century-old vines

The estate

Latour-Martillac has a rich history dating back to the 12th century. Run by the Kressmann family, the estate stands out for its commitment to sustainable viticultural practices and the preservation of its old vines.

The vineyard 

Taking its name from the Latin gratum caput, meaning “precious vine”, Grapecap is a Vin de France produced exclusively from the estate's oldest parcel. 2021 is the first vintage of this exceptional bottling.

Planted in 1884, this 65-are vineyard rests on clay-limestone soils that benefit from natural drainage and optimal exposure.

The vintage 

A very wet winter was followed by a mild, dry spring, with only 40 mm of rainfall in March and April. After several episodes of frost in April, flowering took place evenly in early June. The relatively cool summer saw heatwaves in late July and mid-August.

Vinification and ageing

Hand-harvested grapes, followed by whole-bunch pressing with separation of the free-run and press juices. Alcoholic fermentation in barrel, QTT (a specific type of oak barrel incorporating an innovative technology based on the presence of molecules called QuercoTriTepenosides) and Wineglobe. Aged for 15 months on the lees, including 10 months in French oak barrels, divided between once-used barrels, new QTT barrels and Wineglobe.

Grape varieties

Sémillon (96%), Muscadelle (3%), other varieties (1%) including Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, Melon, Gamay and Chasselas.