In the commune of Pauillac, home to three of the five Bordeaux first growths, lies Château Latour, an estate famed for the phenomenal longevity and consistent quality of the wine that it has been producing for centuries
Latour possesses some of the best soils in Bordeaux. Gently sloping, the gravelly surface provides exceptional drainage and consists of both large stones and small pebbles. Beneath this is a moist subsoil composed of marl, chalk and clay, which provides nourishment to the roots and encourages them to dig deeper, an important factor when considering that it is the oldest vines with the deepest roots that are often considered to produce the finest fruit. This is crucial in hot years, such as 2003.
Of the 92 hectares of vines which comprise the vineyards of Château Latour, the 47 hectares around the Château are known as the ‘Enclos’. The best and oldest vines of the estate are to be found here, in what is considered to be one of the best vineyards in the whole of Bordeaux.
Although Latour makes legendary wines in the best vintages, it is this estate’s consistent ability to turn out exceptional wines in vintages that are deemed to have been off-years that marks it out from its peers.
100 Points Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW
The 2016 Latour is a blend of 92.9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7.1% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it gives nothing away for the first few moments of swirling, then begins to offer suggestions of freshly crushed blackcurrants and blackberries, followed by suggestions of lilacs, charcoal, iron ore, and black truffles, plus wafts of fragrant soil and garrigue. The medium-bodied palate is like an atomic bomb waiting to go off, taut with tightly wound black fruits and mineral layers, supported by firm, super-ripe, grainy tannins, finishing on an epically persistent ferrous note.
100 Points Jane Anson
Muscular, intense, maintains the estate signature as do its fellow Pauillac First Growths Mouton and Lafite. Less generous perhaps at Latour, you feel the walls and floor, pulsating, intense and with intent. Still a baby, but as it opens there are cutaways of fragrant roses and fennel, alongside wild blackberry, hawthorn, blackcurrant, cola, juicy pomegranate, dried cranberry, cocoa bean, cold ash and a ton of bitter black chocolate. Love it. Hélène Genin technical director, Eric Boissenot consultant, and at this point Latour was farming entirely organically and biodynamically, with organic certification coming in 2018. 100% new oak for ageing.
100 Points Neal Martin (Vinous)
The 2016 Latour showed in stunning fashion out of barrel. Bottled in July 2018, it has retained a very deep, almost opaque color. The utterly beguiling bouquet features blackberry, graphite, crushed rose petals and a touch of licorice, though this ebbs with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with such fine tannins that the power and backbone of this Latour are barely registered by the senses. There is bewitching symmetry here, and incredible length, plus a persistency on the finish that is enthralling. Is it a perfect Latour like the best bottles of the 1928, 1961, 1982, 2000 and 2010? I think it might be. The 13.5% alcohol is a whole percentage point less than the 2010, making it more approachable. Drink 2023-2060
100 Points James Suckling
I am dreaming as I smell this wine, perfectly ripe cabernet sauvignon with currants, tobacco and fresh mint. Orange blossoms too. This amazing nose is so complex. Medium- to full-bodied, this has has perfectly integrated tannins that you don’t feel but know are there, elevating the wine to another level. It’s very drinkable because of its stellar balance, yet the tannic tension gives it energy and seamless texture. A benchmark Latour that reminds me of the 1982 in many ways. Drink or hold.