Les Forts de Latour

About this wine

The second wine of Château Latour, considered by many critics to be one of the finest second wines in Bordeaux and often comparable to First Growth quality in great vintages. Produced from younger vines within the Enclos and from surrounding Pauillac parcels, Les Forts de Latour shares the power and minerality of the grand vin in a somewhat more accessible frame.

Sommelier's Note

"Les Forts de Latour is the world's most serious second wine — it is not a compromise, it is Latour's lesser sibling that occasionally rivals its elder"

Food Pairings

Roasted lamb, duck confit, ribeye steak, and hearty cassoulet.

When to drink it

Special dinners, collector gatherings, gifts for Bordeaux enthusiasts

Specs

Grape Varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

Style

Red

Price Range

¥15,000-40,000 depending on vintage

Terroir & Winemaking

Produced from younger vines within the Enclos and select surrounding Pauillac parcels, applying the same meticulous viticulture as the grand vin. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats with regular pump-overs to extract colour and tannin. The wine is then aged for 16–18 months in French oak barrels, approximately 50–60% new oak, allowing integration of fruit and structure. Strict parcel-by-parcel selection ensures only the finest lots enter the final blend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Les Forts de Latour worth buying?

Absolutely. In great vintages it is widely considered among the top five second wines in Bordeaux, often rated 92–96 points. At roughly one-quarter the price of the grand vin, it offers exceptional value for serious wine drinkers.

What does Les Forts de Latour taste like?

It delivers intense notes of blackcurrant, cedar, tobacco, and graphite supported by firm yet polished tannins. Compared to the grand vin it is slightly more accessible in youth but shares the same mineral intensity and structural depth.

When is the best time to drink Les Forts de Latour?

It rewards at least 10 years of cellaring to reach its peak, though great vintages — such as 2005, 2010, and 2015 — can evolve magnificently for 25–30 years.

How is Les Forts de Latour different from the grand vin?

Les Forts de Latour comes from younger vines within the Enclos and surrounding Pauillac parcels rather than the oldest, most prized blocks of the Enclos. This means it is slightly less dense and concentrated than the grand vin, but it shares the same winemaking philosophy and terroir character.

What food pairs best with Les Forts de Latour?

Classic pairings include roasted lamb, duck confit, ribeye steak, and aged hard cheeses. Japanese cuisine pairings: wagyu beef sukiyaki, braised beef cheek with red miso, or grilled duck with sansho pepper — dishes with deep umami and fat that match the wine's structure.