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Forts de Latour (2nd wine of Ch Latour) 2005

Pauillac, Second wine

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Tasting Notes

The 2005 Les Forts de Latour is another beautiful wine from this estate. Medium to full-bodied, with a dense ruby/purple color, loads of blackcurrant fruit, earth, and spice, the wine is extremely pure, broad, savory, and quite expensive. This is a fabulous second wine, but in essence, this is really of classified growth quality. Drink it over the next 20+ years.

Score: 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2035 30 June 2015

The 2005 Forts de Latour (10,000 cases produced) possesses much of the same character as Latour, but sweeter tannins, more obvious and forward fruit, medium to full body, and a more seductive, plusher style, but not the great stature, richness, and architectural precision of its bigger brother. Nevertheless, it is a gorgeous Pauillac that should drink well for two decades or more.

Score: 92

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2008-2028 01 April 2008

A sleeper of the vintage, the 2005 Les Forts de Latour (10,000 cases produced) is made in the style of its big brother, offering notes of blue and black fruits, crushed rocks, and flowers, sweeter tannins, but not the weight, depth, or extract of Latour. This impressive second wine will drink well in 4-5 years, and last for 20+ years. Ask just about anybody which first-growth is pushing quality to the highest level, and the majority will claim it is Latour. With owner Francois Pinault giving perfectionist administrator Frederic Engerer carte blanche, this estate has been producing spectacular wines since 2000. New cellars, winemaking facilities, and barrel rooms only add to their ability to produce classic wines. Production is much smaller than at other Medoc first-growths with only 44% of the 2005 production making it into the grand vin.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2011-2027 30 April 2007

The second wine, the 2005 Les Forts de Latour, represents 45% of the production. A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot, it appears to be the finest Forts de Latour since the 1982 (which I had the good fortune of drinking out of an Imperiale and Jeroboam at Restaurant Daniel on the occasion of Daniel Boulud’s receipt of France’s Legion of Honor on March 12th). The 2005 Les Forts de Latour reveals a striking minerality in addition to gorgeous notes of creme de cassis, forest floor, plum, minerals, and subtle oak. This full-bodied, superbly concentrated, fresh wine should evolve gracefully for two decades.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2006-2026 30 April 2006

A deep garnet colour. The nose has tightened up a little since I last tasted it in January. But it retains that exquisite, complex bouquet of blackberry, bilberry, damson, cedar and here, just a hint of sandalwood. It opens up further after ten minutes, gaining intensity and vigour and yet still holding something back. Medium-bodied, superbly balanced with fine but firm tannins. Very pure. Blackberry, bilberry, a touch of hoi sin..yes, something slightly Oriental evolving here, an element that lends it another dimension. Wonderful.

Score: 94

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2030 01 November 2009

Very dark with some ruby at the rim. Very dense and polished. On the nose, lightly perfumed. Dry but with a lot more charm and flesh than the 2006. Round and sweet. Very charming. Big and round. Neat and dry finish but not at all demanding.

Score: 17 - 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2012-2030 22 September 2009

Complete, spicy complex nose. Fresh attack with some floral notes on the nose. Quite sumptuous but lacks a little freshness in the middle. Lots of tannin, acidity and fruit. Very very dense. Once this loses its strongly tannic currant character it may become even more satisfying. Very, very fine tannins - dry but not drying finish. Full and broad compared with Latour itself. About eight hectares of mature Cabernet Sauvignon vines have been added to Latour’s holdings since early 2005 and have mostly gone into Les Forts.

Score: 17 - 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2016-2030 10 April 2006

Good red-ruby. Exotic aromas of roasted plum, currant and graphite. Big, round and sweet but with the broad shoulders of the year. The silky flavors of currant, tobacco and sweet oak show extraordinary baby fat and volume. Wonderfully rich, expressive wine with a very long, silky, aromatic back end. "Better than the 2007 Latour today, and almost as long," says Engerer.

Score: 92

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2008

Shows blackberry, coffee, cedar, and raisin on the nose, turning to licorice and fresh flowers. Full-bodied, with refined, silky tannins and a long finish. Balanced and juicy. Builds on the palate, with currant, licorice and mineral character, followed by a powerful finish. An amazing second wine. Best after 2015. 13,330 cases made.

Score: 94

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2015+ 31 March 2008

The second wine of Latour is always more open than the grand vin, and this one is no different. Gorgeous aromas of currants, berries, licorice and minerals follow through to a full-bodied palate with velvety tannins and a long finish. Fantastic. Best ever. Hard to believe.

Score: 95 - 100

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2006

Les Forts is not a typical second wine as it is made from a separate vineyard plot containing old vines as well as younger vines and deselected vats from Latour. There is astonishing lift and verve on the nose - really fantastic. Clean and focused in the mouth with stunning pure fruit. Vigorous with vibrant acidity and a seamless texture and finish. Better than many Classed Growths, there is a real sleekness to Les Forts this year.

Score: -

Albany Vintners, - 10 April 2006