First Growth

The history of Chateau Latour dates back at least to the 14th century, even though the vineyards for which it is now world-renowned were not fully established until the 17th century. The estate is located at the southern edge of Pauillac, bordering the St. Julien vineyards of Ch. Leoville Las Cases, and covers 78 hectares. After a period when it was under English ownership, the property passed to Allied Lyons in 1989 and was then bought in 1993 by the French billionaire industrialist Francois Pinault, whose empire was to grow to include Yves St. Laurent, Gucci and Christie’s Auction House.

As one would expect in Pauillac the Cabernet Sauvignon dominates, accounting for 80% of the vineyard, with Merlot (18%) and Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot comprising the remaining 2%. Vinification is rigorously controlled, with severe selection of only the healthiest fruit, total de-stemming, and separate tanks for each parcel of vines. A three-week long maceration is followed by malolactic fermentation in vats before the wine chosen to become Ch. Latour is run off into barrels, 100% new, for ageing.

1984 was a difficult vintage in most vineyards in France and Europe. In France, the greatest classified growths of Medoc in Bordeaux, more precisely in the Haut-Medoc appellation, Margaux, Saint-Julien, Pauillac or Saint-Estephe still remain pleasant to drink and a 1984 wine from a Chateau of the Medoc is still the best choice.

Chateau Latour is a wine estate in Pauillac, part of the Haut-Medoc sub-region on the Left Bank of Bordeaux. The estate’s history dates back to at least the 14th century, though vineyards were not established here until the 17th century. The estate is located at the southern edge of the Pauillac appellation, bordering the St Julien vineyards of Chateau Leoville Las Cases. Latour is one of the five First Growths of the 1855 classification, occupying the top tier alongside Chateaux Lafite Rothschild, Margaux, Haut-Brion, and Mouton Rothschild.

Latour is owned by Francois Pinault, one of France’s wealthiest people. It forms the jewel in the crown of Pinault’s Artemis Domaines, itself part of the larger Groupe Artemis. Other wineries within the portfolio include Clos de Tart and Domaine d’Eugenie in Burgundy; Chateau Grillet in the Rhone Valley; Champagne Jacquesson; Eisele Vineyard in California’s Napa Valley; and Maisons et Domaines Henriot, which includes holdings in Champagne, Burgundy, and Oregon.

The day-to-day running of Latour is entrusted to the dynamic Frederic Engerer. Under his stewardship, a major programme of investment has taken place. In 2012, Latour announced that it would no longer offer its wines as part of the Bordeaux En Primeur campaign. Instead, the wines are kept at the estate until such a time as they are ready to be opened and enjoyed. They are then offered through the La Place de Bordeaux distribution system several years after the vintage.

There are three wines produced here. Chateau Latour, the grand vin, is produced from vines immediately surrounding the chateau, from the vineyard area known as L’Enclos. Les Forts de Latour, the second wine, was created in 1966. It is now regarded as a great wine in its own right, certainly worthy of Classified Growth status. A third wine, Pauillac de Latour, is usually the product of young vines.

The vineyard is planted to a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon, along with some Merlot and small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.