{"product_id":"2016-chateau-latour-les-forts-de-latour","title":"2016 Chateau Latour Les Forts de Latour","description":"\u003cp\u003eLes Forts de Latour 2016 is the celebrated second wine of the legendary First Growth Château Latour, offering a more accessible expression of this iconic Pauillac estate while retaining remarkable depth and pedigree. From the outstanding 2016 vintage in Bordeaux, it combines precision, power and elegance in a wine built for both serious cellaring and rewarding near-term enjoyment. This cuvée was first introduced in the late 1960s and has since become one of the most sought-after second wines in the Médoc, often rivaling classified growths in its own right.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2016 Les Forts de Latour shows a deep, opaque ruby to garnet core with a vibrant, youthful rim that hints at its long life ahead. The nose is intensely perfumed and classic Pauillac: blackcurrant and blackberry compote woven with graphite, cedar, cigar box, crushed violets and a subtle hint of pencil shavings and warm spice from French oak.\n\nOn the palate, this is structured yet refined, with a dense core of cassis, dark cherry and plum supported by layers of tobacco leaf, cocoa, licorice and savory herbs. The tannins are fine-grained but firm, giving the wine a powerful backbone, while the fresh, racy acidity keeps everything lifted and energetic. The finish is long, mineral and lingering, with notes of graphite and black fruit echoing for many seconds. 2016 is a superb, classically styled vintage for Les Forts de Latour; while already impressive with sufficient air, it has significant aging potential, easily evolving and gaining complexity over 15–25 years in a good cellar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLes Forts de Latour is sourced from specific plots within the Château Latour estate in Pauillac, including parcels from the famed gravelly terraces that overlook the Gironde estuary. These deep gravel soils over a clay subsoil provide excellent drainage and naturally low yields, ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen fully while retaining freshness and intensity. The blend is typically dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot and small amounts of other classic Bordeaux varieties, all harvested by hand at optimal ripeness. Vinification is carried out with the same rigor as the Grand Vin: parcel-by-parcel fermentation, primarily in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, followed by aging in French oak barrels (a significant portion of which are new) for around 16–18 months. A strict selection process ensures that only the best lots are chosen for Les Forts de Latour, giving the wine its hallmark concentration and finesse.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis 2016 Pauillac is a natural match for richly flavored, protein-driven dishes: roast lamb with rosemary, ribeye or côte de boeuf, venison, duck breast, and classic French dishes such as beef Wellington or braised short ribs. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses like Comté, Gouda or mature Cheddar. For optimal enjoyment, serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F). In its youth, decanting for 1.5–2 hours will help the tannins soften and the bouquet open; as it matures, a shorter decant primarily to remove any sediment will be sufficient.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChâteau Latour is one of Bordeaux’s most illustrious First Growths, located at the southern end of Pauillac, close to the border with Saint-Julien. With a documented history dating back to at least the 14th century, Latour has long been synonymous with power, longevity and classical Médoc structure. The estate’s enviable position on deep gravel mounds overlooking the Gironde, coupled with meticulous vineyard care and a relentless focus on quality, has made its wines some of the most revered in the world. Les Forts de Latour, created to highlight specific parcels and selections distinct from the Grand Vin, has over the decades earned its own reputation as one of Bordeaux’s finest and most consistent second wines, often outperforming many classified growths and further cementing Château Latour’s status as a benchmark of the Pauillac appellation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Château Latour","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54251875074385,"sku":"GCW-MMUI-1611052","price":385.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/2016_Chateau_Latour_Les_Forts_de_Latour_3.png?v=1783442027","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2016-chateau-latour-les-forts-de-latour","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}