March 19, 2025
2019 Forts de Latour is a powerhouse
New Release: Forts de Latour 2019
“The 2019 Les Forts de Latour is a powerhouse. Dark and ample in the glass, the Forts de Latour shows all of its natural breadth in 2019, but amplified to a considerable degree” - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
The 2025 release from Château Latour is one of the most anticipated in Bordeaux, offering a rare opportunity to secure wines directly from this legendary estate. Since stepping away from the En Primeur system after 2011, Latour has only released wines when deemed ready. Now, for the first time, the 2019 Les Forts de Latour is entering the market. With its pedigree and outstanding vintage conditions, securing an allocation at this early stage is highly recommended.
Produced with the same meticulous care as Château Latour’s Grand Vin, Les Forts de Latour is a benchmark Pauillac. Sourced from dedicated parcels, including part of the estate’s historic Enclos vineyard, it has been crafted with exceptional precision since 1966. Aged in 50-60% new oak, it exhibits the power, depth, and structure expected from this prestigious estate, often outperforming classified growths. With its refined tannins and impressive ageing potential, Les Forts de Latour continues to solidify its reputation as one of Bordeaux’s finest second wines.
The 2019 Les Forts de Latour is defined by harmony and balance, benefiting from a warm, dry summer and ideal ripening conditions. This vintage exudes black fruits, cassis, damson, and cedar, layered with graphite, tobacco, and spice. With 97 points from James Suckling and 95 from Vinous, it offers a silky yet powerful palate, fine tannins, and a long, mineral-driven finish. A wine of depth and longevity, it will reward patience, drinking beautifully from 2028 onwards.
A top-class wine from an outstanding vintage, Les Forts de Latour 2019 offers incredible pedigree at just €165 In Bond per bottle. A rare chance to secure this superb second wine from one of Bordeaux’s greatest estates at an unbeatable price.
Les Forts de Latour 2019
€165* In Bond per bottle
97 Points | James Suckling
Exquisite aromas of lavender, cigar ash and Spanish cedar with dried citrus follow through to a medium body and a solid palate with powerful, ultrafine and linear tannins. The muscle and long finish are so beautiful. Give it two or three years but already a solid wine. Drink after 2028.
95 Points | Vinous - Antonio Galloni
The 2019 Les Forts de Latour is a powerhouse. Dark and ample in the glass, the Forts de Latour shows all of its natural breadth in 2019, but amplified to a considerable degree. The 2019 is an especially somber Forts endowed with tons of richness as well as structure. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice, menthol, chocolate and licorice build into the substantial finish. The 2019 is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. Drinking Window: 2027 - 2044
94+ Points | Wine Advocate, William Kelley
The 2019 Les Forts de Latour appears to have tightened up a little since I last tasted it a few years ago. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of sweet cassis fruit mingled with hints of cedar, iris, orange zest and new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, lively and nicely concentrated, with a ripe core of fruit underpinned by chalky structuring tannins. While it's approachable after a decant, it certainly merits additional patience. As readers will remember, this bottling mostly derives from dedicated parcels located further inland from Latour's famous "Enclos," next to Château Haut-Batailley.
94 Points | Vinous - Neal Martin
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 blackberry, 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. The 2019 will give two or three decades of pleasurable drinking.
*Prices are accurate as of the blog publication date and may be subject to change.