The chateau makes three different wines. The so-called grand vin, that is Chateau Latour itself, a second wine called Les Forts de Latour and a third wine simply called Pauillac. The grand vin comes from the original part of the vineyards, called the Enclos. This is the most prestigious part of the vineyard where the vines ahve a fine view of the Gironde estuary. The tradition in Bordeaux says that vines that overlook the water make the best wine. The proximity to the estuary actually gives a slightly higher temperature, helping the grapes to good maturity. The Enclos is around 45 hectares out of a total 88 from the whole estate.

The grape varieties are 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc. The planting density is high, 10,000 vines per hectare. Every year the chateau's viticulturist replaces a certain number of dead vines. These young vines are marked and treated separately. They are harvested separately and they are not used in the grand vin until they are at least 10 years old.

The Enclos is under conversion to organic farming since 2015. It takes three years to be certified so it means that we will see the first organic Chateau Latour in 2018. Only copper and sulfur. mixed with different plant infusions, are used to fight diseases in the vineyard. Instead of insecticides they use sexual confusion. Only organic fertilizers are used when needed and no herbicides.

The barrel aging starts in December. Chateau Latour is put in 100% new oak from the Allier and Nievre forest in the central part of France. The chateau works with 11 different coopers. This is important to the winemaker as the coopers all have different styles.

The wine spends six months in the first-year cellar where it will also undergo malolactic fermentation. The barrels are tasted regularly, and the winemaker decides the blend of the grand vin, the second wine and the third wine.

Chateau Latour, Bordeaux, France
Located in the famous Medoc wine region, about 40 kilometers north-west of the city of Bordeaux, the vineyard of Chateau 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".
It would appear that the domaine of Latour remained under joint ownership until the end of the sixteenth century, the co-proprietors receiving rent from their tenants who cultivated the land. By the end of the sixteenth century, the proprietors had been reduced to a family called Mullet and if direct control was progressively replacing that of tenants and co-proprietors, the system of viticulture was to remain virtually the same until the end of the seventeenth century.
At the end of the 17th century, after a succession of sales, inheritances and marriages, the Latour estate became the property of the Segur family. It is in 1718 with the Marquis Nicolas-Alexandre de Segur, the Great History of the vineyard starts. Thanks to the marriage of Alexandre de Segur with Marie-Therese de Clausel, "the Tower of Saint-Maubert" entered the Segur family and remained in their hands there for almost 300 years. Just before his death in 1716, Alexandre Segur bought Lafite.
Two years later, his son, Nicolas-Alexandre, (called "the Prince of Vines") increased the family holding with the acquisition of Mouton (Rothschild) and Calon (Segur). Only the Margaux estate remained in the hands of the Aulede family.
But in 1755, the death of the Marquis Nicolas-Alexandre created substantial changes in the destiny of Latour: before his death, Lafite was given the most attention among his numerous estates. With the division of the Marquis' property Latour finally received the necessary care and investment it required, and started to develop its full potential during the second half of the century.
At the beginning of the 18th century, Chateau Latour started to be highly recognized around the world, thanks to the conquest of the British marked and the development of the wine business in northern Europe. The aristocracy and other wealthy groups of consumers became very enthusiastic about a few great estates, of which Latour was one. And that was how Thomas Jefferson, Ambassador of the United States in France, and future President, discovered this wine in 1787. At that time, a cask of Chateau Latour was already worth twenty times as much as one of ordinary Bordeaux wine.
The reputation of Chateau Latour was consolidated during the 19th century. It was confirmed in 1855, when the government of Napoleon III decided to declassify the estates of the Medoc and the Graves for the International Exhibition in Paris: Chateau Latour was classified as First Growth.
In 1963, the heirs of the Marquis de Segur sold 75% of the Chateau Latour shares. The new shareholders became "Harveys of Bristol" and "Hallminster Limited", both British Limited Companies. "Hallminster Limited" belonged to the PEARSON Group, and held more than 50% of the shares of Chateau Latour. However, the juridical structure was not changed: it kept the 120 year-old name of "Societe Civile du Vignoble de Chateau Latour".
In July 1993, entrepreneur and businessman, Mr PINAULT finally brought Chateau LAtour back into French hands after 30 years of British ownership.
Today the estate consists of 78 hectares of vineyards. The 47 hectares which surround the Chateau, the heart of the estate, are called "l'Enclos". Only the grapes from these 47 hectares make the "Grand Vin de Chateau Latour". The vines in this vinyeard are very old, some of the being centenarian. This "Enclos" benefits from a very unique terroir that combines an optimized sub-soil nutrition for the vines, the Giornde river which tempers extreme weather conditions, and a typical Medoc climate, largely influenced by the Atlantic ocean, which allows the grapes to reach maturation under favourable conditions.

Classic, distinguished, and dominated by a balance of great purity, the 2001 will have to be matured and aged to develop its full potential. It will maintain a solid balance in the succession of great vintages of recent years.

Critical Acclaim

JD96
Jeb Dunnuck
A wine that’s firing on all cylinders is the 2001 Latour and this beauty over-delivers in the vintage! Based on 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it offers incredible aromatics of crème de cassis, exotic spices, lead pencil shavings, forest floor and truffles. Deep, medium to full-bodied, and incredibly elegant, with polished tannin, it’s utterly irresistible today, yet given its balance and length, I suspect it has another 15-20 years of prime drinking.
RP95
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A brilliant offering, which should be drinkable much earlier than the blockbuster 2000, the 2001 Latour boasts an inky/ruby/purple color to the rim as well as a glorious bouquet of black currants, crushed stones, vanilla, and hints of truffles and oak. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance primarily Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it reveals a sweetness on the palate that is atypical for such a young Latour. The beautiful integration of tannin, acidity, and wood is stunning. The wine flows across the palate with fabulous texture, purity, and presence. This luscious, full-bodied Latour was surprisingly open-knit on the three occasions I tasted it from bottle. However, do not mistake its aging ability as this 2001, despite its precociousness, will last 20-25 years. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025.
WS95
Wine Spectator
Extremely attractive aromas of blackberries and currants with just a hint of mineral and oak. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, long finish. As it was from barrel; powerful and fast. Serious stuff.