1980 Chateau Latour Pauillac Bordeaux, France

Winemaker Notes: Producer Notes Chateau Latour is among the First Growth properties classified in the Bordeaux 1855 Classification. The estate is situated in the southern portion of Pauillac, bordering St. Julien and the Gironde estuary. Latour is considered one of the longest-lasting First Growths, reflecting its high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon. The blend is typically 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The fruit is grown in vineyards with notably high levels of gravel and an ideal southeastern exposure. Latour is typified by its concentrated fruit and complexity. Young vintages are forward and jammy with multiple layers of fruit. Aromas include black-currant, cherry and prune, with a dusty bouquet of mint, leather, cedar, and tobacco. Chateau Latour can age a lifetime and should not be approached for ten to twenty years. Some of the best vintages include 1949, 1959, 1961, 1982, 1990, and 2000. Chateau Latour also produces a second wine called Les Forts de Latour and a third wine labeled simply Pauillac.