2011 Latour Martillac
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Tasting notes
Just past its 10 year window, and it is at a charming place for drinking. Fragrant violet notes on the aromatics, not as much depth as the 2010 but a lively sense of momentum, and plenty of soft raspberry fruits. This is an elegant, finessed side of Pessac Léognan with the austerity that I am finding in many of the 2011s at this point. 40% new oak.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeannie Cho Lee MW
Decanter
More reviews and scores
65% Sauvignon and 35% Sémillon. Water white. More aromatic and Riesling-like than I would have expected. Does yeast play a big part here? Just very slightly oily. Some apparent sweetness. Quite fun as a drink. Not very like any particular archetype but there’s nothing wrong with that of course. Slightly hot end. Far from the best value. (JR)
Inky crimson. A little dusty, perhaps slightly reductive. Pretty dry and hard on the palate. Firm grip and not quite enough flesh. (JH)
An authoritative, rich, concentrated effort, the inky/purple-colored 2011 Latour-Martillac possesses graphite and black currant aromas as well as surprisingly full, powerful flavors that transcend the vintage character. This wine needs to be forgotten for 3-4 years, and drunk over the following two decades. This is clearly an overachiever in 2011.
About the producer
Owned and managed by the Kressman family, Latour-Martillac is one of the region’s most recognisable estates – with the eponymous tower standing proudly at its entrance. Its 50 hectares of vines produce benchmark Pessac.