At a glance

Producer

Château Latour

Region

Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Bordeaux Blend (typically 90%+ Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$700 - $1200 USD (retail per 750ml bottle, varies by market)

Tasting profile

Dense black fruit (cassis, blackberry), graphite, violets, cedar, licorice, tobacco, hints of earth and spice, pronounced oak, notable structure.

Evolution: Aromatics will become more complex – dried fruit, forest floor, tobacco, truffle, woodsmoke; tannins soften, fruit dries, more leather, less overt oak.

At peak: Balanced, harmonious, with tertiary complexity, silken tannins, subtle oak integration, deep earthy and mineral notes alongside faded fruit.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-high, supporting long aging

Tannins

High, firm, fine-grained

Alcohol

13-14% ABV

Aging potential

Superb; 30-40 years or more under proper cellar conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2029 to 2060

Optimal window

2025 to 2063

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Structured, primary fruit and oak dominant, tannins present but integrated

First 10 years show primary fruit and structure; at 15+ years, secondary and tertiary notes dominate as the wine achieves its legendary finesse, complexity, and length.

Food pairing

Roast rack of lamb, ribeye steak, venison, duck with cherries, truffled dishes, aged Comte or Gruyère cheese.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (2-4 hours) — Essential to soften tannins and release aromatics in youth; reduces reduction and enhances flavor complexity.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Chateau Latour practices sustainable agriculture: organic methods in vineyards, cover crops, reduced chemical inputs, manual harvesting, water management, vineyard biodiversity. Modernized winery focuses on waste reduction and energy efficiency. Uses heavy traditional bottles not the lightest glass.

Château Latour, under Artemis Domaines, is a Bordeaux leader in sustainability, using no chemical herbicides and largely organic practices (uncertified). They have advanced toward energy efficiency and vineyard biodiversity, but do not pursue formal organic/biodynamic certification or the lightest packaging. Global distribution and premium glass weight negatively affect the total carbon footprint. Initiatives to reduce on-site impact are strong, but the global distribution and lack of third-party certifications lower the overall sustainability rating.