The 2009 Les Forts de Latour is a Bordeaux blend from the renowned region of Pauillac, Bordeaux, France. Produced by Les Forts de Latour, this red wine is composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, and is sealed with a cork closure. It has an alcohol content of 14.0%.
The wine has garnered significant praise from various professional reviewers. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a score of 95, noting its "deep garnet color" and flavors that include "minted chocolate, blackberry pie, sweaty leather, and cast iron pan," with a "firm, grainy frame and lovely freshness" and a "minty kick" on the finish (Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 3/14/2019).
James Suckling gave an even higher score of 96, describing the wine as "deep and dark with a ton of smoke and earth," highlighting its "concentrated and complex" nature. He mentioned that the wine has a "powerful yet racy palate" with an "elegant mineral finish" (James Suckling, 3/6/2019).
John Sweeney from JJ Buckley also commended the wine, giving it a score of 94. He was impressed by its complexity, both aromatically and on the palate, noting "spicy" elements and flavors of "red and black fruits, black pepper, and lead pencil." He appreciated the "integrated tannins," which contribute to the wine's "silky" texture and "long finish" (John Sweeney, 4/1/2010).
Wine Spectator rated the wine 93, highlighting its "purity and precision" with "mouthwatering blackberry, black currant, and steeped plum fruit." The wine is "nicely laced with graphite" and has "enticing ganache and iron notes" through the finish, suggesting it is best enjoyed from 2014 through 2028 (Wine Spectator, 3/1/2012).
Wine Enthusiast also awarded it 95 points, focusing on the "massive Merlot fruit" and "opulent blackberry jam flavors." The reviewer noted the wine's "richness and power," which evolve to reveal its "immensely ripe" character (Wine Enthusiast, 2/1/2012).
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com gave the wine a score of 94, highlighting its "smoke, tobacco, cigar box, earth, and red fruit notes" on the nose. The palate offers "freshness, ripe dark red fruits, tobacco leaf, spice, and chewy, ripe, soft tannins," with a structure suitable for aging (Jeff Leve, 9/20/2019).
Decanter also praised the wine, rating it 94 and noting its "muscular and closed" nature. The tannins are "beautifully flexed," with "real purity of fruit and lovely texture," showcasing its "focus and a sense of poise and purpose" (Decanter, 2/7/2019).
In summary, the 2009 Les Forts de Latour is a highly acclaimed wine that offers complexity, richness, and a well-structured profile, suitable for both immediate enjoyment and further aging.