Chateau Latour, one of Bordeaux’s oldest and most famous wine producers, is a First Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. It’s located in Pauillac near the border with Saint-Julien.

Vines have existed on the property since the 14th century, but Chateau Latour first began producing wines of great quality in the early eighteenth century. The estate gradually came to specialize in wine production, with 38 hectares of vines in 1759 and 47 hectares in 1794.

The vineyard currently has 78 hectares in production. The grapes from the 47 hectares surrounding the chateau, known as “L’Enclos”, are used in the production of the Grand Vin. The 30 hectares outside of the Enclos are used for the Forts de Latour and the Pauillac wines. The estate is planted with about 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot on gravelly hilltops and clay subsoil.

The wines of Chateau Latour need time to mature, generally at least ten or fifteen years, before they can be drunk. It is only then that the full complexity of the bouquet is expressed and the palate becomes sufficiently well integrated to be enjoyable and harmonious.

The 2009 Chateau Latour is a remarkable Bordeaux blend that embodies the essence of a truly exceptional vintage. With a deep garnet color, this wine displays an unashamedly youthful character. The nose is bold and enticing, filled with aromas of blackcurrants, black cherries, and warm plums. As the wine opens up, subtle nuances of cedar chest, aniseed, beef drippings, truffles, and tapenade emerge, along with a delicate waft of tilled black soil.

On the palate, the 2009 Latour is full, concentrated, and powerful, showcasing a rock-solid frame of super ripe, grainy tannins. Despite its intensity, the wine maintains fantastic freshness, which adds to its overall appeal. The finish is exceptionally long and wonderfully minerally, leaving a lasting impression.

Renowned wine critic Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this vintage a perfect score of 100 points, praising its youthful nature and its potential for further aging. James Suckling also lauded this wine, describing it as dark and chocolatey with a cool herbal freshness. He further emphasized its surprising supple finish and deemed it a perfect wine.

John Sweeney from JJ Buckley was captivated by the wine's stunning complexity, noting its layers of flavors, super dark fruit concentration, and silky texture. Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast also bestowed high scores upon this vintage, highlighting its richness, pure fruit character, and immense aging potential.

Critics such as Neal Martin from Wine Journal and Decanter praised the wine's structure, with Martin noting the pleasing saline edge and impressive grip. Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com described the wine as sensuous, powerful, and elegant, urging consumers to give it time to develop or decant it before enjoying.

Jane Anson from janeanson.com deemed the 2009 Latour as supremely Latour, with a muscular architecture and a wall of tannins that hide its rich blackcurrant and cherry fruits. She emphasized the wine's potential for a long future. Lastly, Jeb Dunnuck from jebdunnuck.com hailed this vintage as an incredible wine, displaying a ripe, sexy style while still embodying the classic power and regalness of Latour.

In conclusion, the 2009 Chateau Latour is a wine of immense quality and complexity. With its bold fruit character, powerful structure, and exceptional aging potential, it is a true masterpiece that represents the best of Bordeaux.