Les Forts de la tour is elaborated with 70 % Cabernet, 30 % Merlot. The exact proportion of grape varieties will vary slightly from year to year depending on the quantity of demoted Grand Vin
It is produced : a) with the grapes from the " young vines " of the "Grand Enclos", which are less than 12 years old. b) from the grapes grown on three plots situated outside the "Grand Enclos", c) in addition, and depending on the quality of the vintage, certain vats of Grand Vin may not, after numerous tastings, be up to the standards required. They may then be demoted to " Les Forts de Latour ". Since 1990, it is released "en primeur", like its " big brother ", the Grand Vin.
Ageing : 50 % new barrels, 50 % one vintage barrels, for 18 months.
What the critics say...
Robert Parker: 91-93 points(01/04/2010)
The second wine seems to have picked up most of the Merlot from the Latour vineyards (31.5% Merlot and 66.5% Cabernet Sauvignon dominate the blend). The 2008 Les Forts de Latour is a forward, pure wine displaying remarkably sweet tannins along with aromas of black currants, forest floor, and a hint of underbrush. Opulent, round, and generous, it should drink well for 15-20 years, possibly longer given the fact that the 1982 Les Forts de Latour is still a beautiful wine, and it’s “only” 27 years of age!
Pairing: Aged Cheese, Game Animals, Grilled Red Meats, Legume, Roasts, Stews.
Located in the famous Medoc wine region, about 40 kilometers north-west of the city of Bordeaux, the vineyard of Château Latour belongs to the Pauillac appellation.The quality of its wine depends partly on the type of grape variety that is being used, but also on the exceptional... combination of natural elements (geography, geology and climate) that constitutes its 'Terroir'.
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