Les Forts de Latour 2016

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for Les Forts de Latour 2016

Tasting

Appearance
This red wine displays a deep garnet to purple colour, with violet highlights that reveal its youth.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet is remarkably intense. It unfolds aromas of black fruits such as blackcurrant, blackberry and blueberry, harmoniously entwined with floral notes of violet. Ageing adds lovely complexity, with touches of sweet spices such as cinnamon, clove and star anise, underscored by hints of cedar, blond tobacco and graphite.

Palate
The attack is generous and fleshy, with a texture that is at once dense and velvety. Often described as an iron fist in a velvet glove, this wine reveals abundant yet exceptionally fine tannins. There is perfect balance between the concentration of the fruit, a delicate salinity and a lively acidity that carries the palate through to an exceptionally long, mineral finish.

Food and Wine Pairings

A true gastronomic wine, this grand cru calls for sophisticated pairings. It will beautifully complement refined, structured dishes such as fine cuts of red meat, game, or dishes served with mushroom sauces.

Serving and Cellaring

To fully appreciate its complexity, it is highly recommended to decant Les Forts de Latour 2016 vigorously before serving. Built to stand the test of decades, this vintage can be enjoyed now but will continue to improve in the cellar, drinking well until around 2060.

The Depth and Elegance of a Pauillac Second Wine

The Estate

Located in the heart of the Bordeaux vineyards, Château Latour saw its winemaking history truly take shape in the 17th century. This prestigious 1855 Premier Grand Cru Classé oversees an estate of around 90 hectares in the Pauillac appellation. Owned by François Pinault since 1993 through Groupe Artémis and managed by Frédéric Engerer, the estate stands out for its unceasing pursuit of excellence. A pioneer in its environmental approach, Château Latour has converted its entire vineyard to organic farming, while applying biodynamic principles on its historic plots, thus ensuring wines of extraordinary longevity.

The Vineyard

The grapes for this cuvée come from the Pauillac appellation. They are sourced from the young vines of the historic L'Enclos plot, as well as from other high-quality terroirs on the estate located outside this historic core. The vines thrive on deep gravel knolls, a free-draining soil ideal for storing heat and promoting optimal ripening of the berries. All of these plots are farmed under certified organic viticulture, which fosters biodiversity and healthy, living soils.

The Vintage

2016 ranks among the region's greatest recent successes. The weather conditions allowed all the berries to reach perfect phenolic ripeness. This ideal growing season produced masterfully balanced grapes, combining optimal concentration with lovely freshness, thus reflecting the very essence of this exceptional year.

Vinification and Ageing

After meticulous sorting, the grapes for Les Forts de Latour 2016 are vinified plot by plot in vats. Extraction is managed with great precision to obtain tannins that are both ripe and delicate. The wine then undergoes a long and ambitious ageing in oak barrels, with a significant proportion of new wood, refining its structure and enriching its aromatic palette.

Grape Varieties

64.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35.3% Merlot, 0.4% Cabernet Franc.