Forts de Latour (2nd wine of Ch Latour) 2010

Pauillac, Second wine

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Tasting Notes

Aromas of currants, blueberries and blackberries with a dark chocolate undertone. Perfumes and beautiful. Full body, with velvety tannins that are fine-tuned and tentative. It lasts for minutes. Gorgeous fruit and richness. Perhaps the greatest Les Fort ever? Try in 2018.

Score: 96

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Maturity: 2018+ 04 February 2013

Bizarre as it may sound, the 2010 Les Forts de Latour is also the finest I have ever tasted from this selection, which comes from specific vineyards, not really so much a second wine as just another wine from estate holdings. A blend of 72.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27.5% Merlot that represents 40% of the production, this astonishing wine hit 14.3% natural alcohol. Extremely ripe and rich, it reminds me of the 1982 on steroids (and that wine is still drinking great 30 years after the vintage). Sensational notes of graphite, crushed rocks, black fruits, camphor and damp forest notes are present in this expansive, savory, full-throttle wine, which is better than many vintages of the great Latour itself from the past. (That may be a heretical statement, but it’s the truth as I see it.) This wine needs a good 5-6 years of cellaring and should age for three decades at minimum, given the fact that the 1982 is in terrific form and wasn’t this concentrated or prodigious.

Score: 97

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2048 01 February 2013

Possibly the most profound Forts de Latour ever produced, the 2010, like its bigger brother, Latour, was harvested between the third week of September and October 11. Representing 40% of the production and tipping the scales at 14.3% alcohol, it is a blend of 72.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot. Super-concentrated as well as unctuously textured and opulent, this pure, deep Forts de Latour should drink well for 25-30 years. It is as great as the prodigious 1982, which is still drinking well at age 29.

Score: 92 - 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 04 May 2011

Very fine, richly fruited nose. In the mouth, fresh, iIncredibly silky and beguiling with a serious core of black berry and blueberry fruits and mint. Close to the Grand Vin in quality. Seamless with a core of tannins that runs all the way through. No edges or points. A very long finish. The best Forts ever made.

Score: 94 - 96

Albany Vintners, - 28 April 2011

A blend of 72.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25.5% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, 14.3% alcohol and representing 40% of the production. It has a glorious bouquet with stupendous delineation: blackberry, cedar, mint and a touch of pot pourri. The palate has a tannic entry, the Cabernet Sauvignon is very pronounced with cedar, tobacco and pencil lead. Very classic and very pure, symmetrical towards the finish. Great focus and length. Superb. Tasted March 2011.

Score: 93 - 95

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 15 April 2011

72.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25.5% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. 40% of production. Very, very dark purple. Scented and supple on the nose! Oddly enough this seems lighter than one might expect from this vintage and name - has it absorbed all the lighter cuvées? Really quite luscious and sweet, despite its IPT of 87! Very rich for Forts. Very flattering and winning. The open face of Latour. A bit sweeter than usual - very much the open face. Less classic Latour than usual. 14.3%

Score: 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 202-2035 01 April 2011

Slightly smoky nose, great expression of rich, vigorous fruit, superb freshness and structure.

Score: 18

Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2020-2035 01 April 2011

This comes off as almost sweet, thanks to gentle ripeness and friendly plum sauce, raspberry and cherry compote notes, all backed by an energy that's in reserve. There's latent acidity rippling through the finish, where briar, pastis and graphite lurk as well. Really pure. A noticeable step up from the Pauillac. Tasted non-blind.

Score: 93 - 96

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 31 March 2011