Chateau Latour   Forts de Latour

2006 Forts de Latour

By Chateau Latour

2006 Forts de Latour from Chateau Latour, Pauillac, Bordeaux

In the firmament of fine Bordeaux, the 2006 Forts de Latour from the venerable Chateau Latour, a paragon of Pauillac's extraordinary repertoire, eloquently articulates the unique facets of its vintage. This compelling conspectus continues my decades-long acquaintance with this esteemed second wine, offering an intriguing counterpoint to its more illustrious sibling.

 

Eloquence in the Embrace of the Elements

The year 2006 delivered a Bordeaux vintage where the diurnal play between warm days and cool evenings bequeathed wines of formidable structure and enduring charm. Specifically, for this Pauillac gem, it etched a profile that curates a balance of power and finesse into each sip. The 2006 Forts de Latour brandishes its pedigree via an intricate tapestry woven of robust tannins and a lush canopy of dark fruits.

 

A Vintage to Venerate

Traverse the savoury spectrum presented by this vintage and you shall encounter a delightful dalliance of crepuscular berries with an undertow of earthiness—a hallowed hallmark of this region’s noble terroir. With time, notes of cigar box and cedar wood have ornately framed the fruit, bestowing upon it a recherché complexity investors prize. A reflection on its harmonious integration spotlights the discreet yet decisive use of oak that has ushered this wine into a state befitting contemplation.

The lingering finish imparts a reverent nod to the sage viticulture practices that have endured at Chateau Latour. This bottle is not merely a cellar candidate but also an illustration of how deftly Pauillac can encapsulate an entire season's narrative within its vinous vessels.

 

Impressions for Investment

For enthusiasts keen on diversifying into respected vintages with burgeoning potential, the 2006 Forts de Latour showcases just such attributes. It’s a compelling proposition for collectors; approachability for present pours coupled with prospects of further maturation render it a prudent inclusion in any judicious portfolio. In sum, this wine exemplifies the fortitude of its vintage with aplomb; a venerable vinous venture anchored in the rich tapestry of Pauillac’s oenological opulence.

Current market price

£1,790.00

12x75cl

Highest score

92

POP score

149.17

Scores and tasting notes

92

Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London. The 2006 Les Forts de Latour has a much more precise and lively bouquet than the Le Petit Mouton: blackberry, briary and vanilla emerging from the glass, suggesting that it needs another couple of years to reach its peak. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, commendable depth of fruit and tangible mineralité. This is better than some of the Pauillac Grand Vins, such is the detail and energy on the finish. Superb. Tasted January 2016.

Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 29 May 2016

92

The brilliant second wine, the 2006 Les Forts de Latour, a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, possesses a dense ruby/purple color, a beautiful bouquet of asphalt, cassis, cedar, truffles, and earth, and a full-bodied, dense, beautiful style that is similar to a 1996 Pauillac. It will age effortlessly for 15 years. Latour's brilliant manager, Frederic Engerer, has purchased 15 hectares of old vine Grenache and Syrah in the Cotes du Rhone region, the Drome, at a cool-climate elevation. I can't wait to see the first vintage from this Cotes du Rhone project.

Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #181

90

Tasted blind at Southwold ’06 Bordeaux tasting. The Les Forts ’06 is comparatively generous on the nose at this stage, although it does not have the same degree of complexity than a first class Les Forts. Touches of cedar, mulberry and wild hedgerow infuse opulent black fruits, but it does not quite have the same level of definition. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, nice grip, insistent but linear on the finish with the puppy fat beginning to melt away. A competent, rather than stunning wine. Tasted January 2010.

Neal Martin - Wine Journal Sep 2010

88

A firm and juicy Les Forts with blueberry and chili character. Medium to full body, with linear tannins and a crisp finish. A little too austere to be outstanding. Drink now or hold.

James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, February 3rd 2014

Vintage performance