Les Forts de Latour 2017

Characteristics and tasting tips for Les Forts de Latour 2017

Tasting

Appearance
This wine displays a deep garnet hue with violet highlights and a dark, brilliant core.

Nose
Remarkably pure, the nose releases intense aromas of black fruits such as blackcurrant, blackberry and plum. It then opens onto floral notes of violet and dried rose, subtly intertwined with a minerality marked by hints of graphite and pencil lead, all underscored by nuances of spice and forest floor.

Palate
Elegant and precise, the palate offers a silky texture carried by exceptionally fine tannins. With lovely tension and refreshing acidity, this wine unfolds a fleshy body that stretches into a long, mouthwatering, mineral and subtly spicy finish.

Food and wine pairings

This red wine pairs beautifully with flavourful meats such as grilled rib of beef or a herb-crusted leg of lamb. It will also make a superb match for game such as venison fillet, regional dishes in sauce such as duck with prunes, or aged pressed cheeses such as Comté or Cantal.

Serving and cellaring

For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine at a temperature between 16 and 18°C, taking care to decant it 1 to 2 hours beforehand. It can be enjoyed now but will continue to improve in the cellar and can be drunk until around 2045.

A refined and precise second red wine from Pauillac

The estate

The history of Château Latour began in the 14th century with the construction of a fortified site, but it was in the 17th and 18th centuries that the estate established itself as one of the essential wine properties of Bordeaux. Classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855, this iconic estate is located in the south of the Pauillac appellation. Acquired in 1993 by Artémis Domaines, the Pinault family's company, the château is now run by Hélène Génin. A true pioneer, the estate withdrew from the en primeur system in 2012 and stands out for its organic certification and biodynamic practices.

The vineyard

Located in the heart of the Pauillac appellation, just 300 metres from the Gironde estuary, the vineyard enjoys a protective microclimate shaped by both oceanic and river influences. The vines thrive on an exceptional terroir made up of deep gravel on the surface and a marl and clay subsoil, forcing the roots to dig down as far as three metres to draw their nourishment. The grapes for this second wine come from the edges of the historic Enclos plot, from certain declassified vines within the Enclos, and from other classified growth plots. The soil is worked with horses to preserve biodiversity and avoid compacting the earth.

The vintage

The 2017 vintage was marked by more moderate weather conditions than in previous years. While the June rainfall proved highly beneficial for the vines' development, the rains that fell in September called for particular vigilance and an extremely rigorous plot-by-plot selection during the harvest. These conditions also led the estate to include two plots originally intended for the grand vin in the blend of this second wine, resulting in a classic, fine and elegant profile.

Winemaking and ageing

Crafted with the same exacting standards as the estate's grand vin, Les Forts de Latour 2017 benefits from meticulous plot-by-plot vinification. It is aged in oak barrels, 50 to 60% of which are new, a more moderate approach than for the first wine that preserves all the aromatic purity of the fruit.

Grape varieties

65.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, 0.8% Cabernet Franc.