Château Latour: A Pauillac Legend of Precision and Longevity
An undisputed symbol of Bordeaux excellence, Château Latour reigns over Pauillac with its distinctive power and an unrivalled standard of precision. Owned by Artémis Domaines (Pinault family) since the 1990s, the estate is led by Frédéric Engerer (CEO) and Hélène Génin (Technical Director), supported by a dedicated team focused on expressing the unique character of the Enclos vineyard.
Terroir & Grape Composition
The vineyard extends over 78 hectares, of which 47 hectares form the Enclos — the historic heart reserved for the Grand Vin. This plateau of deep gravel resting on a clay-limestone subsoil is an exceptional terroir, perfectly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, the dominant grape of Pauillac.
| Grape variety | Proportion |
|---|---|
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 75–80 % |
| Merlot | 15–20 % |
| Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot | 1–5 % |
Philosophy & Winemaking
Château Latour practices highly demanding sustainable viticulture with a surgical level of parcel-by-parcel precision. Grapes are rigorously sorted, vinified separately according to their origin and maturity, then aged for up to 20 months in new French oak barrels for the Grand Vin.
This pursuit of excellence aims for maximum purity, perfect concentration, and legendary longevity. Les Forts de Latour and Pauillac de Latour receive the same meticulous care, each expressing a unique facet of this mythical terroir.
Signature cuvées
Château Latour (Grand Vin)
Produced exclusively from vines in the Enclos, this iconic wine combines concentration, mineral tension, noble tannins, and extraordinary depth. In great vintages, its ageing potential often exceeds 50 years.
Les Forts de Latour (Second Wine)
A structured, precise wine with pure fruit and a distinctive Latour identity.
Pauillac de Latour (Third Wine)
More approachable in its youth, it captures the freshness and precision of the house style.
Style & Tasting Profile
Château Latour is defined by its architectural precision, saline tension, and unique aromatic intensity. With age, the wines develop extraordinary complexity — graphite, cedar, ripe cassis, leather, and spice — while retaining a remarkable sense of structure and balance.
Technical sheet
| Characteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Classification | Premier Grand Cru Classé (1855) |
| Vineyard area in production | 65 ha |
| Grape composition | 75 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 % Merlot, 4 % Cabernet Franc, 1 % Petit Verdot |
| Second wine | Les Forts de Latour (approx. 140,000 bottles) |
| Planting density | 10,000 vines/ha |
| Average vine age | 40 years |
| Cellaring potential | 15 to 50 years |
| Great vintages | 2010, 2009, 2005, 2003, 2000, 1996, 1982, 1966, 1961, 1959, 1949, 1899 |
Food Pairing Suggestions
- Dry-aged rib of beef or game
- Roast lamb rack or truffled pigeon
- Classic sauce-based dishes with wine reductions
- Aged hard cheeses (Comté, Cantal, aged Gouda)