{"product_id":"2012-chateau-latour-pauillac-premier-grand-cru-classe","title":"2012 Chateau Latour","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 2012 Château Latour Pauillac Premier Grand Cru Classé is a poised, classically styled Pauillac that showcases the estate’s legendary precision and depth. Released as a rare Late Release directly from Château Latour’s own cellars in 2020, it has been matured under perfect conditions, emerging with remarkable freshness and complexity. As one of Bordeaux’s original 1855 First Growths, this wine represents the pinnacle of Left Bank Cabernet Sauvignon and the enduring legacy of one of the world’s most revered estates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2012 Latour shows a medium to deep garnet-red hue, with a vibrant rim that hints at both its maturity and long life ahead. The nose is initially reserved and dignified, then slowly unfurls with time and air: pure blackcurrant and black cherry mingle with blackberry compote, joined by notes of graphite-pencil shavings, cigar box, Chinese five-spice, sandalwood, and a subtle touch of cardamom and eucalyptus. There is a sense of layered refinement rather than opulence, with every swirl revealing a new nuance.\n\nOn the palate, the wine is striking for its balance and elegance—often cited as the most refined and graceful expression of Latour in recent decades. The core of black and red fruit preserves is wrapped in beautifully sculpted, ultra-fine tannins and supported by a vibrant, almost surprising freshness. Notes of cassis, dark cherry, cedar, tobacco leaf and subtle exotic spice glide across the mid-palate, finishing long, precise and mineral-inflected. The structure is firm yet polished, suggesting a long life: while already entering a lovely drinking window, it will continue to evolve and gain complexity over the next 20–25 years or more, especially given its Late Release provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChâteau Latour’s grand vin comes from the historic ‘Enclos’ vineyard in Pauillac, close to the border with Saint-Julien, an exceptional terroir of deep gravel over a subsoil of clay and limestone that naturally favors Cabernet Sauvignon. The 60-hectare estate is planted predominantly to Cabernet Sauvignon (around 78%), with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot completing the cépage; in 2012, the final blend is 90.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.6% Merlot and 0.2% Petit Verdot. Grapes are hand-harvested parcel by parcel, with strict selection in the vineyard and at the sorting table. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled vats, with each plot vinified separately to preserve its character. The wine is then aged in 100% new French oak barriques for around 18–20 months, before being held back in the château’s own cellars for extended bottle aging. This Late Release, only offered years later, ensures perfect provenance and an optimal stage of early development upon release.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis 2012 Latour is a natural partner for refined, flavorful dishes centered on red meat and game: think roasted lamb with garlic and rosemary, dry-aged ribeye, venison loin, or slow-braised beef cheeks. It also shines alongside dishes with earthy complexity, such as truffle-infused cuisine, mushroom ragouts, and rich poultry like duck or squab, as well as aged hard cheeses like Comté or mature Gouda. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in generous Bordeaux stems. Decanting for 1–3 hours is recommended at this stage to allow the aromatics to fully open and the tannins to relax, revealing the wine’s full spectrum of elegance and nuance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChâteau Latour is one of Bordeaux’s most iconic and historically important estates, classified as a Premier Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 classification and long regarded as a benchmark for Pauillac and Left Bank Cabernet Sauvignon. Situated at the southern end of Pauillac, bordering Saint-Julien, Latour’s famous ‘Enclos’ vineyard has been celebrated for centuries for its gravelly soils and exceptional exposition, which consistently yield wines of power, precision and longevity. Under meticulous modern stewardship that blends tradition with cutting-edge vineyard and cellar practices, Latour has maintained its status at the very top of the Bordeaux hierarchy. Its practice of Late Releases—holding vintages back in its own cellars and releasing them only when they start to enter a prime drinking window—has further cemented its reputation for uncompromising quality and impeccable provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Château Latour","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54251833098577,"sku":"GCW-MMUI-122951","price":675.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/2012_Chateau_Latour_Pauillac_Premier_Grand_Cru_Class.png?v=1783441719","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2012-chateau-latour-pauillac-premier-grand-cru-classe","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}