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In an unusual move, Château Latour was the first of the First Growths to release its 2008s. In most En Primeur campaigns, wines come out like rockets in a fireworks display with the First Growths acting as finale. So, this precociousness will bring about a much quicker campaign.
In addition, Latour has priced their 2008 – a notable 46% less than their 2007 which will not go unnoticed. This decrease has also made the 2008 Château Latour the cheapest on the market by far. Their coming out first should act as a “˜ceiling’ so that other Bordeaux wines should price their releases accordingly.
Château Latour made impressive 2008s using unusually high levels of Cabernet Sauvignon (94% in the Grand Vin) to harness the vintage’s strength. As a result, their wines are powerful and deep. The château compares their tannic richness to 2004 and 2006 and describes them as “˜having a classic shape with a core of modern fruit.’
Château Latour will be allocated to previous buyers, but their excellent second wine, Forts de Latour, will be openly available.
Forts de Latour, 2nd wine Ch Latour, Pauillac
£550.00 per 12 IB
2012-2025+
Ample and rich with notes of roasted coffee, dark chocolate and red and black bramble fruit. It muscley presence is lightened by its fresh, lifted finish. An impressive second wine.
WS:88-91, MJ:17, GD:88-91
Ch Latour 1er Cru, Pauillac
£825.00 per 6 IB
2014-2030+
Discreet on the nose, but utterly expressive on the palate, this 2008 offers lots of fine, silky tannins that nonetheless pack a Pauillac punch. Stylish yet immense, this wine should age brilliantly well.
WS:91-94, MJ:19, GD:92-94