At a glance

Producer

Chateau Latour

Region

Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Petit Verdot

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$650-$900 USD (release and secondary market)

Tasting profile

Deep cassis, graphite, black cherry, violets, cigar box, licorice, intense energy, tightly wound structure

Evolution: From primary black fruit and spice, will gain more tertiary notes: truffle, cedar, leather, savory umami with age

At peak: Silky, harmonious balance of fruit, earth, spice; profound complexity and regal finesse in maturity

Structure

Acidity

Medium to medium-plus, provides freshness

Tannins

Firm, abundant, finely polished

Alcohol

13.5% ABV (typical for this vintage)

Aging potential

Exceptional; 40+ years in ideal conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2029 to 2060

Optimal window

2025 to 2063

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Structured, primary fruit with emerging complexity, can be enjoyed young but will reward significant cellaring

Chateau Latour is renowned for extraordinary longevity. In 2016—a top-rated Bordeaux vintage—the wine's power and balance ensure decades of evolution. The wine will shed its youthful firmness over the first decade, entering its primary drinking window by 2026. Greatest complexity and textural refinement are expected 2030-2050, potentially beyond, depending on storage.

Food pairing

Roast lamb with herbs, dry-aged ribeye steak, truffle risotto, wild mushrooms, aged Comté or Gruyère

Serving

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — The wine has firm, abundant tannins and is medium-bodied, which suggests it will benefit from aeration to soften the tannins and enhance its aromatic profile.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Minimal chemical use, extensive cover cropping, manual vineyard work, integrated pest management, increased biodiversity, on-site composting, water management initiatives, solar power, recyclable lightweight glass bottles since late 2010s

Chateau Latour is a leading Bordeaux estate in sustainable viticulture. Since 2015, the vineyard has practiced nearly full organic farming (conversion completed in 2018), though without official organic certification for the 2016 vintage. The estate holds France's HVE Level 3 for sustainable agriculture and invests heavily in biodiversity, ecological corridors, and water/energy management. Packaging innovations have reduced weight and environmental impact, but as a high-value, globally traded wine, long-distance transportation still contributes meaningfully to the overall carbon footprint.