France • Bordeaux • Pauillac • Bordeaux Blend • Château Latour • Second Wine • Ex-Château 2018 • 75cl Bottle

Les Forts de Latour 2009

Les Forts de Latour 2009 Ex-Château 2018 is a masterful expression of Pauillac, combining the solar richness of the 2009 vintage with the aristocratic precision of Château Latour. Released directly from the estate after extended cellaring, this exceptional second wine stands out for its pedigree, depth, and impeccable provenance.

Overview

Les Forts de Latour is the prestigious second wine of Château Latour, one of the most iconic estates in the Médoc and a benchmark of the Pauillac appellation. Sourced from outstanding gravel terroirs and crafted with the same rigor as the Grand Vin, it offers a refined interpretation of the Latour style: structure, depth, precision, and remarkable ageing potential.

The 2009 vintage ranks among the greatest in Bordeaux in recent decades. Benefiting from near-perfect climatic conditions, it produced wines of superb ripeness, richness, and structure. In this context, Les Forts de Latour 2009 stands out for its controlled power, generous texture, and beautifully defined architecture.

The Ex-Château 2018 release adds a highly sought-after dimension for collectors and discerning enthusiasts. It indicates that the wine was released directly from the estate in 2018, after extended ageing in the château’s cellars. This ensures perfect storage conditions, impeccable provenance, and a high level of confidence in both authenticity and condition.

Already accessible thanks to the generosity of the vintage, yet built for long-term ageing, Les Forts de Latour 2009 Ex-Château 2018 represents a superb balance between immediate pleasure, prestige, and cellaring potential.

Tasting Notes

Nose:
The bouquet is deep, expressive, and immediately appealing, revealing aromas of ripe blackcurrant, blackberry, and black cherry, layered with notes of cedar, graphite, tobacco, and fine oak. With aeration, additional complexity emerges through hints of licorice, spices, and pencil lead, classic signatures of great Pauillac wines.

Palate:
The attack is rich, smooth, and commanding. The wine unfolds with a dense, structured core supported by ripe, finely integrated tannins. The mid-palate combines power, freshness, and precision, with a mineral backbone that perfectly balances the natural richness of the vintage. The overall impression remains poised, refined, and harmonious.

Finish:
Long, persistent, and elegant, the finish lingers on notes of black fruits, graphite, cedar, and delicate spices. It leaves a lasting impression of depth, control, and classic Pauillac sophistication in the unmistakable Latour style.