Les Forts de Latour 2017

The 2017 vintage brings precise, structured tannins and a palate of density and depth, with power carried by energy, balance, refinement, and freshness. Those qualities suit Les Forts de Latour especially well. The wine is Cabernet-led, while the cuvée traditionally carries a greater share of Merlot than the Grand Vin, giving Pauillac architecture a more generous middle. Its appeal lies in the way these elements meet: a firm, clearly drawn tannic frame; a deep core that does not feel cumbersome; and a current of freshness that keeps the wine poised. Rather than relying on simple richness, the 2017 builds its authority through proportion and persistence. The structure is serious enough for patient cellaring, yet the balance suggests a wine that will reveal increasing nuance with time in the glass. This is a polished expression of the Latour household—controlled, energetic, and exact—offering the stature of a great Pauillac with a distinctive identity of its own.

Serve Les Forts de Latour slightly below room temperature in a generous Bordeaux glass, allowing ample air for its tannic structure to relax and its freshness to emerge. Roast lamb, ribeye, beef tenderloin, or venison are natural partners, particularly with a restrained jus and herbs such as thyme or rosemary. Earthy accompaniments—porcini mushrooms, lentils, celeriac, or roasted root vegetables—support the wine’s depth without covering its finer detail. Firm, savoury cheeses can follow the main course, though highly pungent styles may overpower the wine’s balance. Avoid sweet glazes and aggressive chilli. If opening the bottle young, decanting can help; if serving over a long dinner, taste it at intervals and let its progression from structure toward greater perfume and suppleness become part of the experience.

Les Forts de Latour takes its name from a historic plot within the Enclos and was first labelled under this name in 1966. Its sources are varied: parcels around the edge of the Enclos, selected lots that might otherwise contribute to the Grand Vin, and classified-growth sites elsewhere in Pauillac, including long-held plots with mature vines and gravel terraces acquired more recently. This diversity gives the wine a profile that can shift subtly with each year. In both vineyard and cellar, Château Latour applies the same meticulous care used for the Grand Vin; a principal difference is the proportion of new oak, generally between 50 and 60 percent. The 2017 season brought spring frost to Bordeaux, though most damage at Latour affected parcels used for the Pauillac de Château Latour. A dry, moderately warm summer and fresh mornings supported even ripening before harvest ran from September into October.

Store unopened in a cool, dark place at a stable temperature, away from direct light, vibration, and heat. Keep the bottle horizontal. Once opened, recork and refrigerate, then allow the wine to return gradually toward serving temperature before pouring again.