Chateau Latour Martillac – Classified Growth of Graves

Pessac Leognan

The tower, beautifully gracing the main courtyard, gave its name to the estate. It is the only trace of a small fortified castle built in the XIIth Century by Montesquieu’s forefathers. Château LaTour-Martillac is owned by the Kressmann family since 1930. The famous label, with gold and black wide diagonal stripes created in 1934, is still used nowadays. Tristan and Loïc Kressmann, representing the third generation, now manage the estate and are committed to improving quality rather than yield. Recognized as Grand Cru Classé de Graves in 1953, the white and red wines of Château LaTour- Martillac today appear among the references of the Pessac-Leognan appellation.

Grape Variety:

54% Cabernet Sauvignon – 40% Merlot – 6% Petit Verdot

Vineyard:

Sustainable care is used to maintain the health of the 25-year old vine, which benefits from a Pyrenean gravel soil.

Winemaking:

After handpicking the harvest plot by plot, the fermentation takes place in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats. Then the aging lasts for 16 months in French oak barrels, with 40% new oak.

Tasting Note:

The 2015 is a deep garnet red. The nose is very intense with lovely maturity on red fruits (raspberry, cherry) and black fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry) notes. A touch oaky. A swirl round the glass opens more complex aromas of peony, liquorice, blackcurrant liquor and cocoa. A lovely mouthfeel, densely packed and seductive. Present but soft tannins give the wine a classical profile. The finish islong and slightly toasted.

Food Pairing:

Serve at 17-18°C with fine cooked meats such as terrine of rabbit, boletuses- meat sausage or with toasts of smoked duck fillets. This wine will be the perfect partner for pan-fried boletus mushrooms and fresh herbs, white truffle risotto or roasted young partridges.

Rating:

Vintage 2014 : 91 Points Wine Advocate

Vintage 2015 : 92 Points Wine Enthusiast – 91 Points Wine Spectator – 93 Points James Suckling – 94 Points Vinous