Château Latour 2016

Château Latour is a first-growth estate in Pauillac, its history reaching back centuries on a site about 300 metres from the Gironde estuary in the Médoc. The Grand Vin comes from the historic enclos around the tower, planted on deep gravel croupes that drain freely and store heat, helping the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon ripen fully even in a cool maritime climate. The estuary moderates temperature and frost, while the poor gravel topsoil forces roots deep into the clay and limestone below, the source of the wine's structure and minerality. The blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Petit Verdot and a little Cabernet Franc, fermented plot by plot and barrel aged in French oak. Malolactic fermentation softens the acidity, and the long oak ageing allows slow oxygen exchange that polishes the firm tannin and layers in cedar, tobacco and graphite, building a wine made to age for decades. The 2016 is deep, dense ruby. The nose shows blackcurrant, red currant and cherry with cedar, tobacco and graphite over a fine earthy base. The palate is full bodied and tightly structured, with firm, fine tannin, fresh acidity and a long savoury finish. Decant several hours ahead and serve at 17 to 18 degrees. Built for red meat and long cellaring.