Situated on the Pauillac-Saint Julien border, immediately north of the walled vineyard of Léoville, overlooking the Gironde River. (Appellation Pauillac Contrôlée)

One of Bordeaux’s most concentrated rich and full-bodied wines. Latour is dark ruby in color and has a unique bouquet of fresh walnuts, leather, and black currants.

Rating

The colossal 2005 Latour (44% of the total production) is a wine for the ages. A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, it possesses the highest alcohol of recent vintages. Different both structurally and texturally from the extraordinary 2003 (which I tend to prefer, although Frederic Engerer clearly disagrees), the black/purple-hued 2005 exhibits high tannin, prodigious concentration, unbelievable purity, amazing freshness and vibrancy, and almost surreal definition and nuances for such a young wine. It is a huge, fresh, backward yet incredibly pure effort that represents a modern day classic, but don’t expect the opulence and exotic sweetness of the 2003. It will close down after bottling, and require at least a decade of cellaring before consuming. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050+. (98-100) points. Robert Parker 98 points (Apr 2006)

Wine maker notes

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot Average vine age is 37 years. In order to retain the advantage of older vines, the renewal of the vines is not done in lots, but periodically throughout the vineyard. Each vine that is replaced is identified by a yellow plastic ring, making them easily identifiable so they can be harvested before the main harvest in order to avoid any confusion. This isolation of the young vines continues for 8 years. The 124 acres produce around 20,000 cases.