CHATEAU LATOUR-MARTILLAC Rouge Grand Cru Classe, Pessac-Leognan 2023 Bottle

Description

IN BRIEF
Château Latour Martillac Rouge 2023 opens with composed confidence: concentrated blackcurrant, Morello cherry and black cherry, pressed violet and a hint of rose petal, edged by cedar, graphite and cigar-box savouriness. With air, bay, dried herbs and grilled tobacco emerge, adding darker, savoury complexity. Medium–full-bodied, it has a smooth arrival, bright acidity and finely grained tannins that support without weight. Ripe black fruit and plum are framed by black olive and a twist of liquorice; the mid-palate builds baking spice, toasted cedar and dark chocolate, while a flinty mineral seam and saline thread give drive. Oak is judicious and poised, elegantly. Drink now with decanting or cellar eight–twelve years. Serve 16–18°C. Top scores: James Suckling 93–94; Decanter 92; Vinous 90–92.

ABOUT THIS WINE
Château Latour Martillac Rouge Grand Cru Classé, Pessac Léognan 2023 opens with composed confidence, a warm vintage expression that combines ripe fruit power with classic Bordeaux poise. The bouquet shows concentrated blackcurrant, Morello cherry and black cherry, lifted by pressed violet and a faint rose petal, while cedar, graphite and a whisper of cigar box add savoury depth. With air, notes of crushed bay, dried herbs and a grilled tobacco leaf emerge, adding complexity and a darker, savoury counterpoint to the fruit.

On the palate the 2023 is medium to full bodied, with a smooth, inviting entry, bright natural acidity and finely grained tannins that provide support without imposing weight. Primary fruit is ripe and pure, black fruit and plum framed by black olive and a subtle twist of liquorice. The mid palate builds with layers of baking spice, toasted cedar and dark chocolate, while a flinty mineral seam and a saline thread give energy and forward momentum to the structure. Oak is judicious and well integrated, offering gentle vanilla and cedar spice that enhance the core fruit rather than masking it.

Texture is polished and tactile, balancing silk and grip, the wine carrying a persistent floral and spicy echo through the finish. There is an underlying savoury note of ironstone and graphite that lends terroir clarity and a nervous precision to the close. The finish is long and resonant, leaving a memory of black fruit, bittersweet cocoa, warm spice and a hint of leather.

Drink now with careful decanting to show the wine s expressive layers, or cellar for eight to twelve years to allow tertiary notes of truffle, forest floor and dried tobacco to weave into the fruit. Serve at 16 to 18°C with roast lamb, braised beef, venison, or mature cheeses to complement its aromatic complexity and savoury depth. Château Latour Martillac Rouge 2023 is a refined Pessac Léognan, confident, layered and poised, offering both immediate appeal and the structure to reward medium term cellaring.

JAMES SUCKLING 93-94 points
The blackberry and blueberry character comes through clearly here, alongside a hint of stone. Medium-bodied with creamy and polished tannins and a savory finish. Very typical for the appellation. - James Suckling

DECANTER 92 points
Tasted by: Panos Kakaviatos (at Bordeaux, 18 Apr 2024)
Drinking Window: 2026 - 2036
Lovely aromas and flavours of leafy tobacco, red fruit and plum enchant, and the palate has freshness and verve, but the tannins show some austerity that needs to be resolved. Conservative score, as we await the 14 months ageing in 40% new oak.

VINOUS 90-92 points
Drinking window: 2028 - 2043
The 2023 Latour-Martillac is a very promising wine. Dark red-toned fruit, gravel, incense and pressed rose petal lend notable complexity. What impresses me most about the 2023 is the quality of the tannin, something that has been penalizing at times in the past. There's a good bit of structure, but it is nicely integrated. Sweet floral and spice notes lift the finish. Terrific. Tasted two times. - Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: April 2024

THE WINE ADVOCATE (90-92) points
Reviewed by: Yohan Castaing
Drink Date: 2025 - 2045
Composed of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 14% Petit Verdot and matured with 40% in new oak barrels, the 2023 Latour Martillac reveals aromas of dark wild berries, spices, pencil lead and mulberries, followed by a medium to full-bodied, concentrated and rich, layered and fleshy palate that segues into a firm, long and mineral finish. The increased proportion of Petit Verdot, a response to mildew affecting the Merlot grapes, imparts a more structured and firm character than seen in previous years.

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ABOUT CHATEAU LATOUR-MARTILLAC
Château Latour-Martillac is a distinguished Graves estate in Pessac Léognan, renowned for producing refined, terroir driven wines that balance freshness and ageing potential. The property traces its roots back several centuries and has evolved under careful stewardship to combine traditional craftsmanship with modern winemaking methods. Situated on gravelly soils over clay and limestone, the vineyards benefit from good drainage and the temperate influence of nearby Bordeaux waters, allowing both red and white varieties to ripen with clarity and aromatic precision.

Vineyard management at Latour Martillac emphasises parcel by parcel attention, respect for vine age and soil variation, and sustainable practices that protect vine vigour and fruit quality. The red plantings focus on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc to deliver structure, perfume and finesse, while white parcels of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon produce vibrant, textured wines with bright acidity and varietal purity. Careful canopy management and yield control ensure concentration and balance across vintages.

In the cellar, meticulous sorting and gentle handling precede fermentation in temperature controlled vats, with vinification tailored to each parcel to preserve aromatic character and tannic balance. The red wines see élevage in French oak, a proportion of which is renewed periodically to add complexity and subtle spice without masking fruit purity, while the whites benefit from restrained oak influence and lees ageing where appropriate to enhance texture and depth.

The signature red of Château Latour Martillac typically shows a refined bouquet of red and black fruit, tobacco leaf and spicy nuances, supported by a supple yet persistent tannic frame that rewards patient cellaring. The white wines offer expressive citrus and stone fruit notes, floral lift and a lively mineral thread, ideal for both early enjoyment and short to medium term ageing. Second and reserve cuvées provide earlier accessibility while reflecting the estate’s focus on balance and typicity.

With a commitment to terroir expression, continuous investment and careful stewardship, Château Latour Martillac remains a respected producer in Pessac Léognan, crafting wines that combine elegance, precision and enduring character.