Château Latour, one of the four Bordeaux houses to be classified First Growth in 1855, has a reputation for producing some of the finest wines in the world. With a track record that spans centuries, its world-class wines, produced in some of the best terroir for Cabernet Sauvignon in the commune of Pauillac on the left bank of the Gironde, are sought after by collectors the world over for their impeccable quality and ability to age and improve for decades.

Whereas its neighbor Lafite is renowned for elegance, Latour is prized for power. The wines display an uncanny combination of deep color; Cabernet-dominated flavors of dark berries, licorice and minerals; the finest oak that money can buy; and great length on the finish. Typically, blends comprise about 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

The 190-acre estate is planted to 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest taken up by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Latour’s Grand Vin, however, is made exclusively from a 120-acre portion, L'Enclos, that was the original 1759 domain. Grapes from the remaining acreage go into Latour's second and third wines.

Château Latour is located near the banks of the Gironde, in the center of the Médoc region, 50 kilometers northwest of Bordeaux. Steeped in history, Latour was first planted in the 1300s, but the rise in their reputation began in the late 17th century, when the estate was inherited by Alexandre de Ségur. Under his ownership, Latour flourished, and its wine was exported to thirsty aristocrats in England. 

In 1855, the house was rated a First Growth, and they’ve never looked back, continuing to produce consistently excellent wine. The estate remained in the Ségur family until 1963, when they sold to a financial group. Latour remained under corporate ownership until 1993, when François Pinault bought the estate.

The climate of the Médoc is variable and leaves a different imprint on each vintage. While some Bordeaux estates suffer because of the unpredictable weather, Châteaux Latour's proximity to the Gironde Estuary protects it from early cold spells. The estate’s gravelly soil allows vines to develop deep root systems, and lower layers of marl-clay retain much needed water in times of drought.

A team of 66 people works in the vineyards and cellars of Château Latour. This is a high number for a Bordeaux estate, but also a testament to the meticulous efforts taken at the estate to produce outstanding wine.