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 2017 Les Forts de Latour is a Bordeaux blend originating from the esteemed Pauillac region of Bordeaux, France. This red wine has been crafted with a blend primarily composed of 65.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, and 0.08% Cabernet Franc. Sporting a moderate alcohol content of 13.0%, this wine is sealed with a traditional cork closure.

Jane Anson from JaneAnson.com rates this wine a solid 93, noting its "thoroughly charming raspberry and blackberry fruit" and "mouthwatering finish." She describes the tannins as having a "fine, elegant, almost chalky aspect," and highlights its evolution compared to bigger vintages, making it evident that the wine has clear architecture to the tannins.

Jeff Leve of TheWineCellarInsider.com also awards the wine a 93. He praises the "forest floor, cedar, tobacco leaf and fresh, dark red berries" that define its opening. Leve appreciates the ripe, sweet tannins and the "juicy, fresh cassis" that contribute to a zesty finish. He emphasizes that the wine will be enjoyable in a few years and has a promising aging potential.

Decanter gives it a slightly higher score of 94, appreciating its "really aromatic and shining" nose filled with red fruit and floral scents. The reviewer commends the wine's energy, lifeforce, and texture, labeling it as "sophisticated and just so seamless." They note that it is "extremely young right now" and needs time to soften and relax.

James Suckling of jamessuckling.com awards the wine an impressive 95, remarking on its "juicy and spicy" nature with "fresh tobacco, redcurrants and crushed stone character." He highlights the medium to full body and velvety tannins, predicting that it will "age beautifully."

Wine Enthusiast, Vinous, and Wine Spectator each rate the wine at 94 and 93 respectively, with Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss noting the “bold, structured wine packed with blackberry fruits and ripe tannins.” Vinous' Antonio Galloni finds it "powerful and dark in the glass," while Wine Spectator appreciates its "bright and fresh" profile with floral, cassis, and plum aromas.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and Jeb Dunnuck both rate it 93, with the former highlighting the wine's "suave and elegant" nature and the latter noting its "classic cedar pencil, tobacco, and mineral-driven core."

Overall, the 2017 Les Forts de Latour is characterized by its elegance, structured tannins, and aromatic complexity, with excellent reviews highlighting its aging potential and balanced profile.