Les Forts de Latour

The 2014 Les Forts de Latour is a blend of 71.4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28.6% Merlot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a little coaxing to reveal expanding scents of blackcurrant pastilles, baked plums and boysenberries with suggestions of wood smoke, fragrant earth, cast-iron pan and charcuterie plus a faint waft of black truffles. Medium-bodied, the earthy/savory palate has loads of lively black fruit with a refreshing line and firm, grainy tannins, finishing on a lingering ferrous note.

Very dark crimson. So Latour – essence of Pauillac – on the nose. Very firm, concentrated and mineral. Fresh and racy. This is remarkably smooth on the finish. More suave than the Pauillac 2015 shown alongside at this London showing prior to release. Really rather lovely and seductive. Long and fresh. There is no doubt that Les Forts is more of a second growth than a second wine.

Glorious aromatics with currants, flowers, stones and light mushrooms. Medium to full body and fine tannins that are long and polished. Super linear, structured and long.