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Bordeaux
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Château Latour is one of three First Growths in the appellation of Pauillac as ranked in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.
The existence of vineyards here, at the southern boundary of Pauillac close to Saint-Julien, was recorded as long ago as the 14th Century. The estate has witnessed a wealth of owners prior to its acquisition by François Pinault and his holding company Groupe Artemis in 1993. His son, François-Henri Pinault, runs the estate.
Frédéric Engerer was appointed Managing Director in 1998 and is today chairman and CEO with responsibility for the ‘grand vin’, the second wine, Les Forts de Latour, first released in 1966, and Pauillac de Latour, a third wine introduced in 1989.
The total vineyard area, certified organic since 2018, covers 92 hectares and is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (76%), Merlot (22%) and 1% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot at a density of 10,000 vines per hectare. The ‘grand vin’ Château Latour represents 30% of production and is made exclusively from grapes sourced from a 47 hectare area known as the Enclos which is farmed following biodynamic principles. Always Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated, the proportion in the blend can be as much as 90% in some vintages.
The soil types at Château Latour contain more clay than Château Lafite for example, however, they benefit from a top layer of gravel which provides excellent drainage even in wet conditions. The resulting ‘grand vin’ shows great richness and concentration whilst retaining freshness.
Les Forts de Latour accounts for 40% of production in a typical year. These grapes are sourced from a specific vineyard area which give the second wine characteristics of ‘terroir’ to the extent that many consider it a Classed Growth in its own right.
Since the 2012 vintage, both the ‘grand vin’ and Les Forts de Latour are only released when they are considered ready to drink rather than through the traditional ‘en primeur’ system. This can be 10 to 15 years following the vintage for the ‘grand vin’ and around eight for the second wine.
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