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 2018 Les Forts de Latour 2024 Ex-Chateau Release is a distinctive Bordeaux blend that speaks volumes about its prestigious heritage. Originating from the celebrated Pauillac sub-region of Bordeaux, France, this red wine is a product of the renowned Les Forts de Latour producer.

A swirl of the glass reveals a deep garnet-purple color, indicative of the wine's intensity and depth. The nose is richly perfumed, offering a heady blend of ripe strawberries and blackcurrants. The palate is a bit more subdued, characterized by a crushed stone texture to the tannins, making it less plush and more serious, straight, and determined. A medley of ripe and cool black and blue fruits dances on the tongue, less jammy than you might expect but still brimming with depth aided by high acidity and a touch of spice and tension.

This wine is not your typical 'easy-drinking' variety. It demands time and patience, rewarding a long decant with an increasingly complex profile. The taste builds and builds, offering a great sense of complexity, terroir, and minerality.

The blend is composed of 65.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, and a dash of Petit Verdot, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the wine. The powerful notes of high-class smoke tobacco, graphite, crushed rocks, and ample black and blue fruits create a rich, full-bodied, and concentrated profile. Yet, despite its intensity, the wine retains perfect balance.

The closure is a traditional cork, maintaining the wine's classic appeal. With its impressive density, velvety tannins, and lively backbone supporting the generous black fruits, this Bordeaux Blend is indeed a luxurious treat. As the experts suggest, give it a few years to reach its peak, and you're in for a remarkable wine experience.