Wine Advisor
Les Forts de Latour 2008
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. The Les Forts de Latour 2008 has a vivacious, almost exotic bouquet with macerated dark cherries, kirsch, dried orange peel and a hint of mint. The palate has a sweet, succulent entry with good substance, a little chewy in the mouth with a little more extraction than its peers. It has an attractive, almost weightless finish. Very fine. Tasted January 2012.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
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.
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Deep garnet-purple in colored, this 2008 is more closed than the 2009 offering a moderate intensity of blackberry preserve, pencil shavings and baking spices. Medium bodied and taut, it had great structure though is perhaps just a bit lean in the middle palate, finishing long and earthy.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
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!
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at the château, 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.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The bouquet on the Les Forts de Latour -08 is very fragrant with entrancing scents of blackberry, wild black plum and a touch of bilberry. The terroir really shows through with touches of cold granite in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine, sturdy tannins: at the moment tense and edge, hints of liquorices round the edges with a core of blackberry and black olive. Still a little aloof, but its breeding is patently obvious. Drink 2013-2025+ Tasted October 2010.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
En primeur barrel sample. A blend of 66.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 31.5% Merlot with 2% Petit Verdot, this is a lovely nose, very refined, pure blackberry, cassis, a touch of cedar/pine forest, superb definition – more feminine than usual. Just a touch of dried orange peel in the background. The palate is medium-bodied, fine tannins, very fresh, very precise rather than a powerful, expansive Les Fort. Like the Grand Vin, it has an aloof finish. Well-crafted, wonderful focus if the depth of a great vintage like ’05. Tasted April 2009.
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Deep red-ruby. Oaky aromas and flavors of sweet berries, licorice and spices. Silky and sweet on entry, then quite broad and suave in the middle, with ripe balancing acids giving shape to the wine's flavors. Finishes with broad, serious, building tannins and excellent length. A strong showing for this wine, which is built to age.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2008 Les Forts de Latour has a clean and precise bouquet with blackberry, raspberry and pressed flower scents that blossom in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp and focused with a sappy blackberry and bilberry finish that still feels quite grippy. Two bottles were opened, quite different from each other, but the better one suggests it will give another decade of drinking pleasure. (Tasted at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual 10-Year On tasting.)
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Lots of cassis and floral aromas with hints of spice such as white pepper. Full body, silky tannins and a bright and clean finish. Goes on for minutes. Pretty Les Forts. Drink or hold.
About the Producer
Latour was a jointly held lord's domain until the end of the 16th century, At that time, the property was not entirely covered by vines and yet production largely exceeded requirements. There was no proper storage for the wine and it had to be drunk within the year. The estate remained in the hands of the Mullet family until the late 17th century, and while direct use of the land gradually replaced the leasing system, the wine-making situation changed very little. In the early 18th century, England's aristocracy and wealthy middle classes developed refined tastes, particularly for wine, from Bordeaux, Oporto, Jerez and other southern vineyards. Wine exports had been restricted by various blockades imposed by the wars, but now enjoyed a period of relative freedom and trade with Bordeaux grew rapidly. As a result of this flourishing trade, the estate gradually came to specialise in wine production, with 38 hectares of vines in 1759 and then 47 hectares by 1794.
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