2010 Chateau Latour Les Forts de Latour

France / Bordeaux / Medoc / Haut-Medoc / Pauillac 1. Cru Rouge
 
Exceptional year! An intense and beautifully bright colour. the nose is incredibly expressive, pure and aromatic. On the palate, the structure is extremely delicate, elegant with matured fruits flavours. Tannins are rich, noble and silky.
 
"Coffee, oak, earth, blackberry and licorice, the wine is dense, concentrated and lush. There has a strong Pauillac character, with stunning intensity and purity of fruit. With the exception of 1982 and 1990 Latour, this is better than any vintage of Latour between 1967 and 1994. Wow!", Jeff Leve/The Wine Cellar Insider.
 
The second label of Château Latour:
Les Forts de Latour takes its name from an historic plot in the "Enclos". The wine was first labelled with this name in 1966. Les Forts de Latour is produced with the same meticulous care as the Grand Vin, both in the vineyard and in the winery. The only notable difference, apart from the origin of the grapes, is the proportion of new barrels used in the maturing stage. Destemming and crushing of the grapes. Plot by plot vinification in thermoregulated stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation in tanks and in barrels. Ageing in French oak barrels, with 50-60% new oak.
 
Ratings vintage 2010:
Wine Spectator: 95/100.
Tim Atkin: 95/100.
Wine Enthusiast: 94/100.
The Wine Cellar Insider/Jeff Leve: 94/100.
Jean-Marc Quarin: 94/100.
Bettane & Desseauve: 18.5/20.