2014 Climate & Harvest
After a mild and wet winter, warm conditions in March led to an early bud break: the Merlot on 21st March and the Cabernet Sauvignon 31st March. The weather was fine and summery in April and May, but rainy episodes after 19th May increased disease pressure. Fortunately, good weather in June was beneficial for the flowering with the Merlot in bloom on 2nd June and the Cabernet Sauvignon on 5th June. July was cooler than normal with regular rainfall which meant our team in the vineyard had to be extra vigilant to prevent the spread of fungal diseases. Even though temperatures increased after 15th July, our team remained under pressure until the Merlot berries changed colour on 6th August and the Cabernet Sauvignon on 9th August. Thanks to hot and dry weather in August and September, the berries ripened gradually and uniformly until harvest.
The Merlot harvest started on 18th September and continued until 26th September. The Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested in perfect weather beginning on 6th October and finishing on 15th October.
To purchase any of the wines in this offer, please email Phil Stanton at phil@thewineemporium.com.au – This is a pre-arrival offer with wines due to arrive November 2022. Payment will be required upfront to secure stock. Prices valid until stock runs out or until Thursday 14th of April 2022.
Prices & Tasting Notes
2014 Château Latour - $1699 rrp ; $1490 per bottle
90 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.25 % Merlot, 0.5 % Cabernet Franc, 0.25 % Petit Verdot
"The 2014 Latour is one of the very finest wines of a vintage that favored the northern Médoc. Mingling aromas of wild berries and cassis with hints of cigar wrapper, loamy soil, black truffles and classy new oak, it’s full-bodied, rich and concentrated, its broad attack segueing into a deep, tightly wound mid-palate that’s framed by powdery, chalky tannins and bright acids, concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish. This classically balanced, youthfully structured young wine looks set to enjoy prodigious longevity. It’s reminiscent of a modern-day version of a cooler vintage such as 1996, though of course these days maturity is more complete and selection even more rigorous than was the case two decades ago." - 97+ Points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
"The 2014 Latour captures the personality of the year in its linear, lithe construction. It's a decidedly understated Latour that is more about finesse than brawn. Bright red cherry/plum fruit, spice, mint and sweet tobacco open over time, but at this level, wines are more about a feel, an expression of place and a vintage. The 2014 Latour embodies all the best this cool, late-ripening growing season had to offer. I loved the 2014 when it was first shown, about five years ago, and I love it today. It is a super-classic Pauillac." - 96 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
2016 Château Latour Forts de Latour - $750 rrp ; $650 per bottle
2016 is a remarkable vintage, and one which, once tasted, is not easily forgotten. Its wines show extraordinary purity and concentration. A mild and wet winter coupled with a cool March led to bud break occurring on 24th March for the Merlot and the Cabernet Sauvignon on 30th March. Fine and warm weather early May speeded up vegetative growth, though stormy conditions during the second half of the month increased disease pressure. The first week of June was dry with temperatures between 20-25°C and this brought on the flowering - the Merlot vines were in mid-bloom on 6th June. Further to 28mm of potentially-damaging rainfall during the night of 6th/7th June, the Cabernet Sauvignon followed suit on 7th June. July was exceptionally hot and dry though good soil water reserves enabled the vines to resist these extreme weather conditions. Early August, 8mm of beneficial rain accelerated the ripening process with the Merlot berries changing colour on 10th August and the Cabernet Sauvignon two days later. September was sunny and warm, but just as signs of hydric and thermal stress were becoming noticeable, 35mm of rain provided some relief for the vines so the grapes continued ripening in optimal conditions.
“The 2016 Les Forts de Latour is superb, unwinding in the glass with notions of blackcurrants, wild berries, sweet loamy soil, cigar wrapper and English walnuts. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it’s concentrated and tightly wound, with superb depth at the core, lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins. This is an impeccably balanced, utterly classical Forts de Latour worth a special effort to seek out.” - 95 Points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
“The 2016 Les Forts de Latour is the clear highlight among these new releases from Latour. The first thing that is evident about the 2016 is the pedigree of the vintage. Undisputedly great. Readers will find a potent, dark Forts de Latour endowed with massive concentration and tons of depth. The 2016 won't be ready to drink anytime soon, but it holds tons of promise. Hints of gravel, sage, licorice and pencil shavings linger. The 2016 was impressive a few years ago. It is even better today.” - 96 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
To purchase any of the wines in this offer, please email Phil Stanton at phil@thewineemporium.com.au – This is a pre-arrival offer with wines due to arrive November 2022. Payment will be required upfront to secure stock. Prices valid until stock runs out or until Thursday 14th of April 2022.