2005 Les Forts de Latour

The 2005 Forts de Latour (10,000 cases produced) possesses much of the same character as Latour, but sweeter tannins, more obvious and forward fruit, medium to full body, and a more seductive, plusher style, but not the great stature, richness, and architectural precision of its bigger brother. Nevertheless, it is a gorgeous Pauillac that should drink well for two decades or more.

The Les Forts de La Tour 2005 has a more complex bouquet compared to the Petit Mouton, with blackberries, wild strawberry and floral scents that just blossom in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, almost symmetrical in the mouth with great precision and intensity towards the finish that gently caresses the mouth. There is a tang of soy on the aftertaste that imparts a sense of tension, an edginess, completing a bona fide classy Deuxième Vin built for the long-term.


Again, very deep garnet, purple hue. A very fresh nose, blackberry leaf. Touch of cassis, touch of mint. Again, superb definition. The palate is very well balanced, again, so much freshness and vitality. Good acidity, quite masculine, that coolness suffusing the wine. Very tight and tannic on the finish. Good length. This is going to need a few year cellaring. Excellent. Tasted April 2006. 93-95

Shows blackberry, coffee, cedar, and raisin on the nose, turning to licorice and fresh flowers. Full-bodied, with refined, silky tannins and a long finish. Balanced and juicy. Builds on the palate, with currant, licorice and mineral character, followed by a powerful finish. An amazing second wine. Best after 2015.

Very classy with plenty of raspberry, currant, and licorice character. This is dense and compacted on the palate. Leave it for at least two or three years from now.

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.