The second wine of world-famous Pauillac first-growth Château Latour, Les Forts de Latour 2008, is at its peak. Characterised by the high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (94%) in the blend, this is a wonderfully well-structured red. Concentrated dark fruits balance its intensity, while a uniquely herbaceous aroma adds freshness and verve. Neal Martin awards this vintage an impressive 95 points.
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Château Latour stands among the most hallowed names in Bordeaux, a Premier Grand Cru Classé since 1855 and a benchmark for Pauillac. But Les Forts de Latour, introduced in 1966, is far from a traditional second label. It comes from dedicated plots within the estate, particularly the Enclos’s outskirts and selected younger vines, and is made with the same obsessive attention to detail as the Grand Vin. Since Latour withdrew from en primeur sales in 2012, releases of Les Forts come only when deemed ready, ensuring maturity and consistency at the highest level.
The 2008 vintage was characterised by a cool, late-ripening season, resulting in excellent harvest conditions that yielded wines of remarkable purity and structure. Les Forts is typically Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant, with Merlot providing supple depth and occasionally a touch of Cabernet Franc or Petit Verdot. Vinification took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by 18–20 months of ageing in 50–60% new French oak barrels. The result is a wine with the architecture and finesse of a Grand Vin, yet with slightly more approachability in its earlier decades.
In the glass, the Les Forts de Latour 2008 is deep garnet, with some gentle maturity evident at the rim. The nose is classic Pauillac, featuring blackcurrant, cigar box, graphite, and pencil shavings, with secondary notes of dried herbs, tobacco, and crushed stone. On the palate, it’s poised and tightly structured, with firm yet resolved tannins and cool-toned fruit: black cherry, cassis and blackberry, framed by savoury oak and a persistent mineral line. There’s depth and elegance rather than opulence; the wine hums with Latour’s restraint and quiet authority.
Now approaching full maturity, it benefits from decanting and rewards contemplative drinking. Pair with roast venison, duck breast with blackcurrant jus, or earthy vegetarian dishes like roasted beetroot and lentil salad with walnut dressing. For cheese, seek out aged hard styles such as Berkswell or Ossau-Iraty.
