Les Forts de Latour 2019

Characteristics and tasting tips for Les Forts de Latour 2019

Tasting

Appearance
The wine reveals a deep, dark garnet hue, almost inky, highlighted by vivid violet glints.

Nose
Remarkably complex, the aromatic bouquet exudes intense scents of ripe black fruit such as blackcurrant, plum and cherry. With aeration, it reveals subtle notes of cedar, tobacco, graphite and lavender, lifted by a touch of dried citrus.

Palate
The palate offers a texture that is both ample and chiselled, supported by powerful, linear tannins of exceptional finesse. The mid-palate, particularly juicy and flavoursome, stretches into a remarkably long, harmonious finish marked by a lingering minerality.

Food and wine pairings
This great red wine pairs beautifully with characterful red meats, such as a herb-roasted rack of lamb or a fine beef rib-eye served with Bordelaise sauce. It will also elevate noble game such as venison, as well as contemporary dishes combining aged meats, robust reductions or savoury mushrooms such as truffles and ceps.

Serving and cellaring
To fully appreciate the complexity of Les Forts de Latour 2019, it is highly recommended to decant it at least two hours before tasting and to serve it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Built for the long haul, this wine can be enjoyed until around 2044.

Other characteristics
This wine has an alcohol content of 14.3% and a pH of 3.60, reflecting a superb balance between power and acidity.

The creaminess and richness of a Pauillac second wine

The estate
The history of Château Latour began in 1331 with the construction of a fortified tower, but the wine estate itself truly dates back to the 17th century. Located in Bordeaux, this legendary property was ranked Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855. Now owned by the Pinault family, the estate stands out for its strong environmental commitment and its policy of late release. Under the leadership of its technical director, Hélène Genin, the property combines respect for tradition with agroecology to produce wines of remarkable longevity and precision.

The vineyard
This wine comes from plots located within the Pauillac appellation. The grapes are sourced from the outskirts of the famous Enclos as well as from renowned outlying terroirs, where the vines average 40 years of age. The soil consists of deep gravel over a clay subsoil, along with gravelly sands. The immediate proximity of the Gironde estuary creates a temperate microclimate, protecting the vines from climatic extremes. The entire vineyard has been certified organic since 2018, with a significant share farmed biodynamically, encouraging deep rooting and rich biodiversity.

The vintage
2019 was marked by a particularly hot, dry summer in the region. These sunny conditions encouraged excellent concentration in the berries. Fortunately, timely rainfall just before the harvest helped regulate the vines, preventing any over-ripeness. This ideal growing cycle resulted in generous, balanced yields and grapes in perfect health.

Winemaking and ageing
Les Forts de Latour 2019 is vinified with meticulous precision, following a strict plot-by-plot approach in separate vats. Fermentations are carefully controlled to preserve the purity of the fruit. The wine is then aged in oak barrels, with around 70% new oak for this particular vintage. True to the estate's philosophy, this wine benefited from extended ageing in the cellars before being released six years after the harvest.

Grape varieties
65.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31.9% Merlot, 2.3% Petit Verdot.