Château Latour 1994

Pauillac

First growth of Médoc

France - - Red wine

75 cl - 12.5% vol.

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Press review

Parker # Bordeaux Book 1998 (1/1/1998) : 94 Maturity: -2035

This is an interesting as well as great vintage for Latour. As indicated in my barrel tasting report, Latour's 1994 possesses an atypically high percentage of Merlot (27%) in the final blend. Because of this, the wine appears to have a sweeter, more fleshy texture than is typical for a young Latour, but do not make the mistake of thinking this will be a commercially-styled, easy to drink wine. It exhibits an opaque dark ruby/purple color, and a backward, intense textbook nose of walnut and cassis scents complemented by smoky pain grille notes that build in the glass. This full-bodied, powerful, layered Latour reveals high tannin, but no bitterness or astringency. The superb purity, fabulous precision, and remarkable length should ensure 35-40 years of longevity. Readers will find more fat, flesh, and glycerin than usual for a young Latour (save for such great vintages as 1982 and 1990), but don't be deceived, this wine requires 8-10 years of cellaring.

Wine Spectator (8/31/2000) : 91

Classic Cabernet style. Intense aromas of plums and cherries, with hints of new wood. Full-bodied, with juicy and ripe tannins and a long finish. Very well-structured. Best after 2003.

The property in brief

The origin of the name of Château Latour is due to a fortress that Pons, Seigneur of Castillon, allowed Gaucelme de Castillon in 1331 to build in Saint Lambert. In 1378, Château Latour en Saint-Maubert, called later Château La Tour and then Château Latour, entered the annals of history. As a fortified place guarding the estuary, it was seized under the 100 years war by the Anglo-Gascon army and would stay under British domination, until the capitulation's treaty, just after the Battle of Castillon, on 17th July 1453. Today, the tower does not exist anymore and has be replaced by a pigeon house, probably built with the stones of the old Château between 1620 and 1630. At the end of the 17th century, after a succesion of sales, inheritances and marriages, the Latour estate became the property of the Ségur family which kept it during 300 years. In 1855, it was classified as First Growth under Napoleon. The existing Château was built between 1862 and 1864 during the golden age of Latour, which was highly recognized around the world. In 1963, the Marquis de Ségur sold 75 % of his shares to Harveys of Bristol and Hallminster Limited (Pearson Group), both British companies. In 1989, Allied Lyons, already owner of 25 % of the shares, bought Pearson's as well and became the majority shareholder until 1993, when they sold their shares to François Pinault,, French Entrepreneur and businessman. The Latour vineyard covers around 78 hectares of the Pauillac appellation, of which 47 hectares surround the chateau, these being referred to as l'Enclos. Only the grapes from these 47 hectares make the "Grand Vin de Château Latour";