Chateau Latour is among the First Growth properties classified in the Bordeaux 1855 Classification. The estate is situated in the southern portion of Pauillac, bordering St. Julien and the Gironde estuary. Latour is considered one of the longest-lasting First Growths, reflecting its high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon. The blend is typically 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The fruit is grown in vineyards with notably high levels of gravel and an ideal southeastern exposure. Latour is typified by its concentrated fruit and complexity. Young vintages are forward and jammy with multiple layers of fruit. Aromas include black-currant, cherry and prune, with a dusty bouquet of mint, leather, cedar, and tobacco. Chateau Latour can age a lifetime and should not be approached for ten to twenty years.
International Wine Cellar | Rating: 92
Good bright ruby-red. Rather backward nose hints at cassis, black cherry, shoe polish, graphite, minerals and spices. Sweet, broad and rich, but with enticing fresh minerality giving energy to the rather full-bodied middle palate. The wine's cassis fruit is complicated by an almost decadent floral element. Finishes perfumed and very long, with wonderfully lush, supple, fine-grained tannins.
Author: Stephen Tanzer
Issue: July/August 2010
95 points Wine Enthusiast
A big and powerful wine, with tannins that are compact and dense. The dryness of the tannins go right to the core, surrounded by chocolate, sweet fruit and dark berry flavors. The wine is well structured, big and bold, with plenty of firmness promising aging. (4/2010)
92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2007 Latour is the most recent late-release from the First Growth estate that abandoned en primeur after the 2011 vintage. Incidentally, this was the first vintage that Frédéric Engerer made with cellar technical director, Hélène Génin. "It was not an easy wine when it was young," he remarked when pouring the wine. Nevertheless, as it approaches ten years of age, the 2007 is finally entering its drinking plateau. It has a deep, quite lucid, dark garnet color. The nose is fresh and well defined. What I appreciate here is the focus, since 2007 was never a vintage to bestow power or immense complexity. Here, you wallow in lovely aromas of blackberry, bilberry and briary with that hint of black olive that I noticed four years ago when I last tasted it. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. It feels attractively saline, fresh and crisp, though not angular. Again, it is the focus and detail that enhances this vibrant Château Latour and its keen line of acidity lends it the freshness to become just about drinkable. The length is moderate, rather than extraordinarily long, though its pencil lead finish takes you straight to Pauillac thereby enhancing typicité. This is a fine Latour from an underrated vintage. (NM) (8/2016)