Les Forts de Latour Pauillac Red 2016

Grape

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (Blend)

Tasting notes

Complex aromas of ripe black fruits with undertones of straw, pencil lead. Velvet touch to this smooth, rounded wine. Elegant tannins with balanced structure and a really fruity finish.

Expert Ratings

96 points James Suckling

'The fresh currant and violet aromas are so complex and beautiful on the nose. Full body, ultra-refined tannins and lovely tannin tension. Shows focus and such finesse. Beautiful finish.'

96 points Vinous

'The 2016 Les Forts de Latour is the clear highlight among these new releases from Latour. The first thing that is evident about the 2016 is the pedigree of the vintage. Undisputedly great. Readers will find a potent, dark Forts de Latour endowed with massive concentration and tons of depth. The 2016 won't be ready to drink anytime soon, but it holds tons of promise. Hints of gravel, sage, licorice and pencil shavings linger. The 2016 was impressive a few years ago. It is even better today. '

95 points Decanter

' Violet scented dark black cherries and figs on the nose, quite powerful. Tannins are generous but they're juicy and plump, soft almost chalky, they have a really great impact, filling the mouth together with the fruit. Everything has melded together, super balanced and all very harmonious - still clearly powerful with precision and sculpting of the fruit and a long finish with the flavours going on and on. Good acidity gives freshness and a real rush of strawberry and cherry juice on the first sip lifts and sustains the palate the whole way. Such a charming wine with great impact and presence. (GH)'

95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

'The 2016 Les Forts de Latour is superb, unwinding in the glass with notions of blackcurrants, wild berries, sweet loamy soil, cigar wrapper and English walnuts. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it’s concentrated and tightly wound, with superb depth at the core, lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins. This is an impeccably balanced, utterly classical Forts de Latour worth a special effort to seek out. (WK) '

94 points Wine Spectator

'A bit fleshier and more caressing than a typical Pauillac, this has flavors of warm fig, currant and blackberry preserves inlaid with charcoal and smoldering tobacco notes. There's grip for sure and a twinge of warm cast iron on the finish, but the fruit detail keeps the upper hand throughout, showcasing the purity on the finish. Very, very solid. (JM)'

More About The Winery

The history of Château Latour brings us back to the year 1331. In fact, the Château’s archives mention Latour from the 14th century. The oldest document is also an authorization granted to Gaucelme de Castillon by Lord Pons to build a fortified tower in the parish of Saint Maubert. Then, century after century the functions of Latour changed. Sometimes co-lordship, sometimes property of the Mullet family, Château Latour was only acquired by Alexandre de Segur in the 18th century. Remember, Alexandre de Segur also owned the Calon Ségur and Lafite at that time. Since then, the estate has continued to develop until becoming the property of François Pinault in 1993. It is under its will that significant changes was made over the years to pursue the quest for excellence of wines produced by Château Latour.

The vineyard of Château Latour is located in its majority on gravelly ridges which dominate from 12 to 16 meters the estuary of the Gironde. The historical terroir, called l’Enclos, is divided into two large families: the clayey gravels in its heart and the gravelly sands on the perimeter. The estate is made up of about 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot & 2% Petit Verdit and Cabernet Franc. Since 2009, Château Latour’s teams have begun to reflect on methods of viticulture and understanding and respect for the balance between the vine, the soil and the environment. Since 2015, the entire Château Latour vineyard has been organically grown. The ECOCERT certification of cellars and winemaking methods is expected in August 2018. Finally, biodynamics is strong in the majority of the Enclos. The breeding of the Grand Vin is made only in French oak barrels from the forests of the Center of France.