LES FORTS DE LATOUR 2nd wine of Ch. Latour, Pauillac 2011 Bottle

Description

The 2011 Les Forts de Latour impresses with its structure and rich fruitiness. Wine Enthusiast rated it 93 points, highlighting a dark, smoky character with solid tannins beneath the black currant profile. James Suckling awarded it 92-93 points, praising the excellent nose of minerals, violets, and berries, complemented by super fine tannins and a long finish. Decanter scored it 92 points, noting youthful tannins paired with opened aromas of blueberries, black pepper, and rosemary, with a drinking window from 2021 to 2045. Vinous rated it 91 points for its high-toned bouquet of black cherries and cedar, while The Wine Advocate also scored it 91 points, emphasizing its refined profile and juicy ripe tannins.

*****

WINE ENTHUSIAST 93 points
This wine is characterized by both structure and rich fruitiness. A dark, smoky character brings out the solid tannins that underlie the black currant fruitiness and the balance. Although it doesn't have power, an intensity gives a flavor that lasts in the mouth. Drink this wine from 2018. — Roger Voss

JAMES SUCKLING 92-93 points
This is really excellent. Love the nose of minerals, violets and berries. Full body, with super fine tannins and a long, long finish. Slightly lean but seamless tannins.

DECANTER 92 points
Tasted by: Jane Anson
(at Bordeaux, 19 Feb 2021)
Drinking Window: 2021 - 2045
The tannins are still young and present, but aromatically it is beginning to open, and this is a good time to drink this Les Forts - blueberries abound, with a delicious spicy black pepper and rosemary edge. 0.5% Cabernet Franc completes the blend. 43% of production in Forts. Harvest September 12 to 26.

VINOUS 91 points
Drinking Window 2022 - 2035
From: The Comedown: Bordeaux 2011 Ten-Years-On (Apr 2022)
The 2011 Les Forts de Latour has a high-toned bouquet with black cherries, cedar, pencil lead and a touch of blood orange, like the 2011 Le Petit Mouton, gaining more composure with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grainy tannins, well judged acidity anda little compact on the finish, but it will appeal to those looking for "classic Bordeaux". Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting. - By Neal Martin on September 2021

THE WINE ADVOCATE 91 points
Drink Date: 2017 - 2032
The 2011 Les Forts de Latour has a very refined bouquet, understated at first but gaining intensity in the glass with an attractive estuarine tincture developing and complementing the black fruit. Later on, there is a trademark touch of Pauillac mintiness coupled with black olives. The palate is medium-bodied with juicy ripe tannin and very good weight in the mouth, the fruit profile leaning more towards the red side of the spectrum than black. This feels lithe and supple in the mouth, fleshy and generous with a smooth finish that slips down the throat. Enjoy this now and over the next 15-20 years. Tasted March 2017.

JANCIS ROBINSON 17.5++ points
Inky and fresh. Thick and dense but round and very supple! Very iodine and dry tannins. But lots of chunkiness. Really soars. (JR)