Château Latour 2012

Characteristics and tasting notes for Château Latour 2012

Tasting

Colour
This red wine displays a medium to deep garnet hue. In its youth it leans towards purple, while with age subtle brick-red tints appear at the rim of the glass.

Nose
The bouquet opens slowly, first releasing primary aromas of candied cherries, cooked blackcurrants and blackberry compote. With aeration, it reveals great tertiary complexity, weaving together scents of graphite, unlit cigar, sandalwood and spices, lifted by delicate hints of damp earth and eucalyptus.

Palate
Both silky and firm in texture, the palate is medium-bodied and supported by grainy tannins. Remarkable freshness balances the richness of the black and red fruit. The exceptionally long finish lingers on mineral notes of iron and charcoal, accompanied by a delicate tension.

Food and wine pairings
This grand cru is an ideal match for umami-rich dishes. It will elevate grilled or roasted red meats, such as a rib of beef with a reduced sauce. Game such as venison, as well as pan-fried wild mushrooms or aged hard cheeses, also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring
For optimal enjoyment, serve this Château Latour 2012 at around 18°C, after decanting for one to two hours. Built for the long haul, this vintage can be enjoyed now but will continue to improve in the cellar until around 2050.

A generous Pauillac Premier Grand Cru Classé of fine intensity

The estate
The history of the site began in 1331 with the founding of a seigneury, but the wine estate itself dates back to around 1680. Located in the Bordeaux region, this 1855 Premier Grand Cru Classé is now owned by François Pinault. Château Latour stands out for its exceptional consistency and pioneering spirit. Under the direction of Frédéric Engerer, the estate made a lasting impression by leaving the en primeur system in favour of delayed releases, while also committing to environmentally friendly viticulture.

The vineyard
Overlooking the Gironde estuary, the vineyard covers 90 hectares within the Pauillac appellation. Its historic heart, known as l'Enclos, comprises 47 hectares of old vines around fifty years of age, planted on gravel rises of Günzian origin mixed with clay and sand. Vineyard management includes ploughing by horse, meticulous vine-by-vine replanting and organic farming practices, fostering biodiversity and a pure expression of the soil.

The vintage
The year was marked by contrasting weather. A particularly hot summer and a mild start to September encouraged excellent ripeness in the berries. A rainy harvest period then tempered the initial concentration, shaping a more approachable and elegant profile while preserving a solid structure.

Vinification and ageing
The result of an extremely rigorous selection, this Château Latour 2012 accounts for only around 36% of the total harvest. Grapes from l'Enclos are vinified separately with meticulous precision. In line with the estate's new commercial philosophy, the bottles were carefully kept in the cellars for several years before release, ensuring a controlled evolution.

Grape varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot