In the glass
Aroma: black currants, cassis, tobacco leaf, cedar, mineral earth
Palate: dark plum, blackberry, graphite, iron, subtle spice
Second wine of Latour from peripheral L'Enclos plots and younger vines, with a higher Merlot proportion than the grand vin. Retains Latour's mineral iron signature at a fraction of the price.
What it pairs with
-
Rack of lamb with Bordelaise sauce
Classic Left Bank pairing; the wine's firm tannins and cassis core partner with lamb's sweetness and the sauce's bone marrow richness. -
Grilled ribeye with roasted garlic
Muscle-driven tannins from Cabernet cut the fat of a well-marbled ribeye; garlic's mellow sweetness after roasting bridges the fruit. -
Venison with red wine reduction
Game's iron-tinged flavour aligns with Les Forts' characteristic mineral and tobacco notes.
History
Les Forts de Latour was created in 1966 to use fruit from peripheral parcels and younger vines, while maintaining the same rigorous winemaking standards as the grand vin. Named after the medieval forts (fortified farmhouses) that historically guarded Pauillac's northern border. Aged with the same care as the grand vin but with fewer new barrels.
- 1966 — First vintage of Les Forts de Latour produced
- 2012 — Like the grand vin, now released at producer's chosen maturity rather than en primeur
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau Latour
- Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
- Classification
- Pauillac AOC
- Oak
- 18 months in 50-60% new French oak barriques
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- $120-200 at retail
- Drinking window
- 8-30 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1966
Scores
- Wine Advocate 96 (2016 vintage, reviewed 2023)
- Wine Advocate 94 (2015 vintage, reviewed 2022)