Latour

Château Latour

Vineyards are documented at Chateau Latour as far back as the 14^th century (the estate disposes of more farther-dating archives than any other chateau), with those vineyards that were to underpin its now worldwide reputation established by the 17^th century, following the consolidation under single ownership (the de Mullet family) of a number of smaller holdings. Soon after, in the 18^th century, Latour was among the first New French Clarets to appear in the emergent London Coffee House scene.

Located at the southern edge of Pauillac on the border with St. Julien, the vineyards almost abut those of leading super second Ch. Léoville Las Cases. 

Like all First Growths, Latour has undergone a series of ownerships and, equally like all First Growths, has largely stayed in French hands. After a period with the Pearson Group, an English family company it was sold to Allied Lyons. In 1993 Chateau Latour was bought by its present owner François Pinault, a French billionaire industrialist who was to build his holdings to include Yves St. Laurent, Gucci, Christie’s Auction House and the recent purchase of leading Rhone estate, Chateau Grillet.

With a new owner came a major program of investment. However, as is so often the case with First Growths, it was perhaps the wider-management decisions that had most impacted on quality. Pinault decided to delegate day-to-day direction of the estate to its Président, Frédéric Engerer, a dynamic figure under whose stewardship Latour has raised to its position of pre-eminence in the Bordeaux Place.

Latour is a powerful, structured wine, nuanced with the classic claret notes of cedarwood and Cohiba of Pauillac. Considered perhaps the most consistent of all First Growth wines, Latour is also known for its ability to produce good wines in the more challenging vintages. The Grand Vin is among the most long-lived wine of all Bordeaux chateaux, with the best vintages lasting up to 100 years or more. Les Forts de Latour, one of the best known second wines in the Medoc, is based on a separate vineyard from the Grand Enclos (that of Latour) and thus has its own distinct identity.      

Latour is currently enjoying a period of sustained momentum as it and other First Growths and equivalent wines become better value, as they start to move towards the new price ceiling established by Lafite.

In 2010, Latour ranked 2^nd in the Liv-ex Power 100 ranking, up from 5^th spot last in 2009. The Liv-ex Power 100 is a list of the top performers over the previous year and their position starting the current year.  The indice traces the movement of chateau and other wines using a sophisticated weighting system based on average prices, production, notional availability and Parker Points.