First Growth
The history of Château Latour dates back at least to the 14th century, even though the vineyards for which it is now world-renowned were not fully established until the 17th century. The estate is located at the southern edge of Pauillac, bordering the St. Julien vineyards of Ch. Léoville Las Cases, and covers 78 hectares. After a period when it was under English ownership, the property passed to Allied Lyons in 1989 and was then bought in 1993 by the French billionaire industrialist François Pinault, whose empire was to grow to include Yves St. Laurent, Gucci and Christie’s Auction House.
As one would expect in Pauillac the Cabernet Sauvignon dominates, accounting for 80% of the vineyard, with Merlot (18%) and Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot comprising the remaining 2%. Vinification is rigorously controlled, with severe selection of only the healthiest fruit, total de-stemming, and separate tanks for each parcel of vines. A three-week long maceration is followed by malolactic fermentation in vats before the wine chosen to become Ch. Latour is run off into barrels, 100% new, for ageing.
1984 was a difficult vintage in most vineyards in France and Europe. In France, the greatest classified growths of Médoc in Bordeaux, more precisely in the Haut-Médoc appellation, Margaux, Saint-Julien, Pauillac or Saint-Estèphe still remain pleasant to drink and a 1984 wine from a Château of the Médoc is still the best choice.
