Forts de Latour (2nd wine of Ch Latour) 2008

Pauillac, Second wine

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12 75cl Bottle Case 12 £1,540 per Case Case [Add to shopping basket]
Tasting Notes

Deep red-ruby. Oaky aromas and flavors of sweet berries, licorice and spices. Silky and sweet on entry, then quite broad and suave in the middle, with ripe balancing acids giving shape to the wine's flavors. Finishes with broad, serious, building tannins and excellent length. A strong showing for this wine, which is built to age.

Score: 91

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 July 2011

A strong effort, this 2008 exhibits a dark ruby/purple color, more minerality than the 2010 and hints of cedarwood, black currants, underbrush and forest floor. This round, generous blend of 66.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33.5% Merlot should easily last for two decades or more.

Score: 91

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 03 May 2011

The second wine seems to have picked up most of the Merlot from the Latour vineyards (31.5% Merlot and 66.5% Cabernet Sauvignon dominate the blend). The 2008 Les Forts de Latour is a forward, pure wine displaying remarkably sweet tannins along with aromas of black currants, forest floor, and a hint of underbrush. Opulent, round, and generous, it should drink well for 15-20 years, possibly longer given the fact that the 1982 Les Forts de Latour is still a beautiful wine, and it’s "only" 27 years of age!

Score: 91 - 93

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2009-2029 30 April 2009

12.7% natural alcohol plus a bit of chaptalisation - natural grape sugar was lower than expected. Second wine. Deep crimson - less blue than the Pauillac. Not much nose. Very cool and tight. Restricted and taut. Very firm. Dry and strict. Wait a long time - pretty solid. Not a charmer. Clean and brisk. Very energetic. A little low key today. (17+)

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2032 04 May 2009

Subtle aromas of currant and raspberry, with a minerally undertone. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a medium finish. A little one-dimensional on the palate, but very good.

Score: 88 - 91

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 April 2009

A blend of 66.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 31.5% Merlot with 2% Petit Verdot, this is a lovely nose, very refined, pure blackberry, cassis, a touch of cedar/pine forest, superb definition - more feminine than usual. Just a touch of dried orange peel in the background. The palate is medium-bodied, fine tannins, very fresh, very precise rather than a powerful, expansive Les Fort. Like the Grand Vin, it has an aloof finish. Well-crafted, wonderful focus if the depth of a great vintage like ’05.

Score: 90 - 92

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 April 2009