2008 Les Forts de Latour, Pauillac, Bordeaux
- Red
- Dry
- Full Bodied
Ready, but will keep
- Neal Martin MW
- 91/100
- 17/20
- Jancis Robinson MW
- 17/20
- James Suckling
- 88-91/100
- Robert Parker
- 91/100
Product: 20088012414
75 cl Bottle
37.5 cl Half Bottle
150 cl Magnum
Description
Whilst Latour’s decision to move away from the En Primeur system has definite ramifications for Bordeaux’s La Place, it makes tasting their latest releases very pleasurable indeed given they’ve had time to mature in bottle. The 2008 Forts de Latour has a very elegant nose with notes of violets, red berry fruit, freshly turned earth, black pepper and sweet vanilla pod.
The palate is energetic and vivacious with good acidity and weight of fruit – sprightly even. The finish is long and integrated with mouth-coating tannins and a savoury meatiness which denotes its class. This is drinking nicely now, however another few years of bottle-age will see the fruit move further to the fore, the tannins soften even more and the overall elegance enhance.
Nick Stewart, Private Account Manager
With gorgeous, concentrated dark fruit, intriguing spice and fine, silky tannins the Forts de Latour is a force to be reckoned with in 2008. The Grand Vin was our favourite wine of the vintage and to be honest their Second Wine isnt far behind. The tannins are luxuriously coated in rich, ripe blackcurrant fruit which makes them roll across the palate so incredibly smoothly but a crunchy minerality adds the classic, linear backbone of Pauillac. This reminded us of the 2004 but has a freshness that bodes well for long ageing potential. Remarkable.
Simon Staples, Wine Director Asia
The palate is energetic and vivacious with good acidity and weight of fruit – sprightly even. The finish is long and integrated with mouth-coating tannins and a savoury meatiness which denotes its class. This is drinking nicely now, however another few years of bottle-age will see the fruit move further to the fore, the tannins soften even more and the overall elegance enhance.
Nick Stewart, Private Account Manager
With gorgeous, concentrated dark fruit, intriguing spice and fine, silky tannins the Forts de Latour is a force to be reckoned with in 2008. The Grand Vin was our favourite wine of the vintage and to be honest their Second Wine isnt far behind. The tannins are luxuriously coated in rich, ripe blackcurrant fruit which makes them roll across the palate so incredibly smoothly but a crunchy minerality adds the classic, linear backbone of Pauillac. This reminded us of the 2004 but has a freshness that bodes well for long ageing potential. Remarkable.
Simon Staples, Wine Director Asia
Colour Red
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2008
Alcohol % 13.5
Maturity Ready, but will keep
Body Full Bodied
Producer Château Latour
Critics reviews
Neal Martin MW 91/100
Tasted at the chteau, the Les Forts de Latour 2008, a late cellar release from the estate, has a very delineated bouquet with blackberry, black truffle and cedar aromas the gently unfold in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a feisty entry, touches of white pepper, graphite and bell pepper on the entry that neatly complement the black fruit, which dovetails into a poised, minty finish. This is an excellent Les Forts de Latour that should age easily over the next 10-15 years. Tasted June 2015.Neil Martin - 29/07/2016
17/20
Purple-red, smoky, almost seductive Pauillac fruit, yet has the firmness, grip and structure of a serious wine, not a blockbuster, fine purity and length.
Jancis Robinson MW 17/20
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.
James Suckling 88-91/100
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 james_suckling - Wine Spectator - Apr-2009
Robert Parker 91/100
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. robert_parker- Wine Advocate- 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! robert_parker- Wine Advocate- April 2009
About this wine
Château Latour
Château Latour is a wine estate in Pauillac, part of the Haut-Medoc sub-region on the Left Bank of Bordeaux. The estate’s history dates back to at least the 14th century, though vineyards were not established here until the 17th century. The estate is located at the southern edge of the Pauillac appellation, bordering the St Julien vineyards of Château Léoville Las Cases. Latour is one of the five First Growths of the 1855 classification, occupying the top tier alongside Châteaux Lafite Rothschild, Margaux, Haut-Brion, and Mouton Rothschild.
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