Les Forts de Latour 2011

One of the finest second wines now being made, Les Forts de Latour comes from the same parcel every year. The 2011 is composed of 61.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 38.5% Merlot. Forty-three percent of the Latour production was relegated to this cuvee. Its opaque purple color is accompanied by a big, sweet nose of creme de cassis, underbrush, licorice and incense. Medium to full-bodied, deep, fleshy and already appealing, this 2011 should gain complexity over the next 5-7 years, and last for 15-20.By the way, Latour harvested relatively late for the Medoc, beginning the harvest on September 12 and finishing on September 26.

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. 2022 - 2035

Aromas of dried berries and fresh herbs such as lemongrass. Full body with firm, chewy tannins and a chocolate, pie-crust, berry and mineral character. A little salty and mineral. Needs at least five to six years.

The nose has a mix of flavours with the freshness of red cherry backed by richer blackcurrant and black cherry. The sweetness on the mid palate is underpinned by firm but ripe tannins with behind the structure lots of sweet ripe fruit filling out the mid palate and giving a supple fleshiness.