Chateau Latour-Martillac Grand Cru Classé de Graves 2016
Country: France Region: Pessac Leognan, Bordeaux
Category: Red Wine Style: Dry Vintage: 2016
Varietal: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon; 32% Merlot; 8% Petit Verdot
Producer: Chateau Latour-Martillac
Description:
This excellent Graves estate takes its name from the medieval tower which still dominates the main courtyard of the château, a remnant of a fort built in the 12th century by the ancestors of French man of letters and political philosopher Montesquieu.
In 1871, the estate attracted the attention of Edouard Kressmann, who had just founded his wine merchant business in Bordeaux, seduced as he was by the quality of the white wines from the remarkable gravelly hilltop here. The blend created, and which Kressmann’s company sold very successfully, was named Grave Monopole Dry. At that time the estate was known as Château Latour and in 1930 Edouard’s son Alfred, having inherited the family firm and faced with losing such a successful wine on the death of the estate's owner, set about acquiring it in the same year. Quickly he changed the name to avoid confusion with its more famous namesake in Pauillac and it became La Tour-Martillac and eventually Latour-Martillac.
It was Alfred who expanded the vineyard area from 12 hectares, and thanks to his hard work Château Latour-Martillac was elected to Grand Cru status in the Graves classification of 1953 and is one of only six properties in the Pessac-Léognan classified for both red and white wines.
Today six children of Alfred’s successor, Jean Kressmann, own the property with the youngest Tristan and Loïc managing affairs with the help of some of Bordeaux’s finest consultants.
The Wine Advocate by Neal Martin – 92-94 pts
The 2016 Latour-Martillac has an understated nose at first, but it unfurls and becomes quite a seductive Pessac-Léognan with ample blackberry and raspberry fruit, and a subtle hint of black olive. I admire the precision here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, supple tannin overlaid by blackberry and bilberry fruit, sea salt and black pepper. Showing excellent focus and abundant freshness on the finish, this is an assured and sophisticated Latour-Martillac that will give many years of pleasure.
Wine Enthusiast by Roger Voss – 94-96 pts
This is a dense wine with dusty, ripe tannins balancing the concentrated blackberry fruit. It is powerful and solidly constructed, with bright acidity and touches of dark chocolate. Impressive and worth serious aging.
Wine Spectator by James Molesworth – 90-93 pts
Layered flavours of boysenberry and raspberry confiture and notes of cassis and melted red liquorice pump through, backed by a tarry finish that shows a slightly extracted feel. Maintains pretty good energy throughout.
Tasting notes
The 2016 vintage has a lovely deep purple colour. A complex and elegant nose with ripe black fruit aromas (cassis liquor and black cherry), with delicate, spicy and floral notes. The palate is full, fleshy and dense. The tannins are both powerful and rounded, with sweet hints of cherry liqueur and liquorice. Good length on the finish with an incredible freshness.
Food Suggestion:
Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta as well as cheese.
