2019, Les Forts de Latour, PAUILLAC

Exquisite aromas of lavender, cigar ash and Spanish cedar with dried citrus follow through to a medium body and a solid palate with powerful, ultra fine and linear tannins. The muscle and long finish are so beautiful. Give it two or three years but already a solid wine. 97 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com (2025).

Inky, great depths with a vivid violet rim, this is exceptional, balanced and full of character. Coming out of its serious early years, showing fleshy plum, dam- son and cassis fruits, along with graphite, slate, fennel and toast. If you like your wines particularly powerful, you can go for it now and over the next few years, but it will age for a good few decades from here. Chiselled, very much speaking of its Pauillac heritage. 94 Jane Anson, Janeanson.com (2025).

The 2019 Les Forts de Latour has an open nose, strangely perhaps a little more expressive than the 2020 Pauillac de Latour at the moment. Scents of black-berry, cassis and iris flower unfold in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with crushed stone infusing the black fruit. This has attained more linearity since I encountered it in January 2023. 94 Neal Martin, Vinous (2025).

A captivating nose of milk chocolate, cola, cherries, and violets, offering a soft and inviting bouquet. The palate is fully textured, opening gradually to coat the cheeks and tongue in a fine layer of chalky tannins. Juicy and succulent through the mid-palate, it bursts with citrus zest, orange and lemon pith, cranberries, and red cherries. There’s a beautiful interplay of bite and tension, with a sapid freshness and a mineral core of crushed stones and iron. The finish ends bright, minty, and herbal, delivering great drive and persistence. 94 Georgina Hindle, Decanter (2025).