Pauillac de Chateau Latour 2021

Pauillac de Château Latour is the third wine of one of the Médoc's most famous estates, made from younger vines and parcels not used for the Grand Vin and offered under the same Pauillac appellation. The estate lies about 300 metres from the Gironde estuary, on the deep gravel mounds, the croupes, that drain freely and store the day's heat, releasing it overnight so the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon ripens evenly. The estuary moderates temperature and reduces frost risk, and the poor gravel soils force the roots deep into the clay and limestone below, which carries the wine's structure. The blend is led by Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Petit Verdot, fermented by parcel and barrel aged in French oak, where malolactic fermentation softens the acidity and slow oxygen exchange polishes the tannin and adds cedar and tobacco. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows blackcurrant, red currant and cherry with cedar, tobacco and a fine earthy minerality. The palate is medium to full bodied, elegant and precise, with firm but polished tannin and a long savoury finish. Decant an hour ahead and serve at 17 to 18 degrees. A classic with lamb and beef.