Description
The Grand Vin from one of the original First Growths of Bordeaux. We are delighted to have shipped Chateau Latour 2017 direct from Bordeaux, as it approaches it’s 10th birthday, ready for a celebration in 2027! This 2017 vintage is an exceptionally elegant, precise Cabernet Sauvignon blend. It’s an impressive wine, rated between 96 and 99 points by the major Bordeaux critics, and approachable now, albeit capable of ageing at least till 2035 in half bottle.
TASTING NOTE: Deep red/purple colour in the glass. On the nose, it is youthful with cassis and cherry aromas, as well as the striking complexity found in the best of Bordeaux. Mint, cardamom, cedar and mineral/graphite notes reveal themselves as you enjoy another sip. There is also a hint of toast and spice from typical ageing in new-oak barrels. On the palate, it is medium to full in body, not as dense as the warmer years such as 2018. The tannins are rich and concentrated, and velvety in texture, giving the impression of Bordeaux structure without heaviness. The finish lingers, with flavours of blackcurrant, spice and cherry, and moderate 13% alcohol. A joy to drink now but cellarable too should you be able to wait!
PAIRING AND SERIVING IDEAS: A classic Pauillac pairing is a roast rack of lamb with rosemary or thyme served with a light jus and a gratin or roasted root vegetables. Indulge in duck breast with cherry or blackcurrant sauce which echoes the cassis flavours in the wine. Or wild mushroom tart, or a simple truffle pasta match the wine’s mineral and savoury element and offer a vegetarian option. Drink now (decant for a couple of hours) or store till 2035 with ease.
ABOUT: Chateau Latour is one of Bordeaux’s most celebrated estates in the whole of Bordeaux, with a documented history of nearly seven centuries. The oldest document mentioning Latour dates from 1331. During the Hundred Years’ War, the “Tour de Saint Maubert” served as a fortress guarding the estuary in what is now Pauillac, manned by Breton soldiers for the King of France. The tower was later seized by Anglo-Gascon troops and stayed under English control until 1453. The dovecote shown on the label today was built in the 1620s on the site of the original medieval tower. Wine became central to the property, when it was acquired by Alexandre de Segur, who later on also acquired Chateau Lafite. It is one of Bordeaux’s original four First Growths (the fifth, Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, was added much later in 1973), and is now managed by Frederic Engerer of Artemis Domaines. The L’Enclos vineyard is 47 hectares is on a gravel rise around the tower and chateau, and is the main source of the grand vin which is made with “vieilles vignes”, vines with an average age of 60 years. The whole vineyard has been in conversion to organic agriculture with Ecocert since 2015, with certification issued from the 2019 vintage. Biodynamic principles are applied to most of l’Enclos. Much is now farmed biodynamically, with the aim of eventually farming the whole estate that way. The Grand Vin was aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels and was 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot.
