Les Forts de Latour 2016
Product description
The leader on the Left Bank in number of first growth classified producers within its boundaries, Pauillac has more than any of the other appellations, at three of the five. Layers of gravel in the Pauillac region are key to its wines’ character and quality. The layers offer excellent drainage in the relatively flat topography of the region allowing water to run off into “jalles” or streams, which subsequently flow off into the Gironde.
The vineyards of the Chateau Latour have been producing wines since the 16th century. Today, the vineyards in production cover 80 hectares, including 48 around the chateau, known as the "Enclos." This Enclos consists of a ridge that peaks at 16 meters above the level of the Gironde.
Beautiful dark and intense crimson hue. Aromatically very pure and enticing with ripe red and black fruits, delicious cocoa and tobacco notes and a hint of citrus zest. Succulent on the attack with a powerful mouthfeel and great tension mid-palate that leads to a lingering, languorous finish.
96 Points - James Suckling
The fresh currant and violet aromas are so complex and beautiful on the nose. Full body, ultra-refined tannins and lovely tannin tension. Shows focus and such finesse. Beautiful finish.
95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Les Forts de Latour is superb, unwinding in the glass with notions of blackcurrants, wild berries, sweet loamy soil, cigar wrapper and English walnuts. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it’s concentrated and tightly wound, with superb depth at the core, lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins. This is an impeccably balanced, utterly classical Forts de Latour worth a special effort to seek out.
95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
The second wine of this great chateau, the Les Forts De Latour continues to impress. I commented on release that it was the best wine in the vintage, and my opinion hasn't changed. This beauty offers plenty of classic Latour character as well as notes of blackcurrants, saddle leather, lead pencil shavings, and dried flowers. It's a gorgeous Pauillac.
95 Points - Decanter
Violet scented dark black cherries and figs on the nose, quite powerful. Tannins are generous but they're juicy and plump, soft almost chalky, they have a really great impact, filling the mouth together with the fruit. Everything has melded together, super balanced and all very harmonious - still clearly powerful with precision and sculpting of the fruit and a long finish with the flavours going on and on.
94+ Points - Wine Enthusiast
This is a great wine, with superb tannins and rich fruit flavors that are in balance. Made from 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, the palate is dominated by black-currant flavor and a pleasant structure from the very fine tannins.
94 Points - Wine Spectator
A bit fleshier and more caressing than a typical Pauillac, this has flavors of warm fig, currant and blackberry preserves inlaid with charcoal and smoldering tobacco notes. There's grip for sure and a twinge of warm cast iron on the finish, but the fruit detail keeps the upper hand throughout, showcasing the purity on the finish. Very, very solid.