2005 Les Forts de Latour
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Tasting notes
Mid to light ruby. More open nose than the grand vin. Sweet and relatively simple on the palate until quite a chewy finish. I fear in this case the fruit may fade before the tannins. Though it's impressively long. (JR)
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More reviews and scores
Crushed blackberries, wild strawberries, white truffles and leather, this is fully open and at a great moment to drink, just heading towards tertiary character. Easily one of the most consistently impressive 2nd wines in Bordeaux, Forts de Latour was launched under Henri Martin and Jean-Paul Gardère in 1966, and at one point in its history there was even a discussion about it becoming part of a revised 1855 classification. What's for sure is that this is a great vintage to discover it if you haven't so far. 100% new oak for ageing.
Tasted blind. Lustrous dark garnet. Light inky nose. A bit austere and tight. Even a bit tough in terms of tannin, with some alcohol on the end. (JR)
Open-knit yet deep and powerful, the 2005 Les Forts de Latour is striking today. The pedigree of the vintage comes through in spades. Expressive, perfumed aromatics meld into a core of supple, open-knit fruit in a mid-weight, impeccably balanced Forts de Latour. Hints of red fruit, iron, smoke and tobacco add lovely shades of nuance. Latour's President Frédéric Engerer adds that that 2005 was the easiest and most balanced growing season (including 2009 and 2010) he has seen because his team had the total flexibility of choosing when to harvest. (AG)
About the producer
One of Bordeaux’s five First Growths, as classified in 1855, Ch. Latour is among the most famous addresses in Pauillac and the world. The estate is renowned for its long-ageing, powerful and structured wines.