During my visit to taste the 2022s from bottle, I had the chance to revisit Château Latour’s upcoming releases. Since 2012, the estate has opted out of the En Primeur system, choosing instead to release its wines when they believe they’re truly ready. This latest release includes the 2020 Pauillac, the 2019 Forts de Latour, and the 2016 Grand Vin Château Latour. All were crafted under technical director Hélène Génin, who arrived at Château Latour in 2002 and has been the Technical director since 2014. She does a fabulous job here and continues to hold to Latour’s signature style—classically austere yet profoundly deep, layered, and concentrated.
Looking at the current releases, the 2020 Pauillac is clearly outstanding—and, as I wrote in the review, a legit Pauillac. The Forts de Latour continues to drink brilliantly and, I think, might even have some upside. It shows the more balanced, elegant style of the 2019 vintage, and while it’s not massive, I suspect it will evolve gracefully on its balance and purity.
Lastly, the 2016 Château Latour comes from a truly extraordinary vintage for Bordeaux, and as you would expect, it brings the goods, with an essence of Latour-like character. It’s still 5-10 years away from true prime drinking, but it has rounded into form nicely since I last tasted it in 2019. If you’re drinking bottles anytime soon, it needs a few hours in a decanter, where it gains purity, freshness, and elegance.