Chateau Latour-Martillac 2021

The freshness and elegance of a Pessac-Leognan red wine

The estate

Chateau Latour-Martillac owes its name to a tower standing in the chateau’s main courtyard. This tower is in fact the vestige of a 12th-century fort, once used to overlook the road from Bordeaux to Toulouse. Owned by the Kressmann family since 1871, Chateau Latour-Martillac achieved the title of Cru Classe des Graves in both red and white in 1953. Tristan and Loïc Kressmann continue to carry on the family tradition with passion and ambition, developing great red and white Graves wines.

The vineyard

A benchmark among Pessac-Leognan wines, Chateau Latour-Martillac watches over a 54-hectare vineyard, of which 45 are dedicated to red wine and 9 to white. The property benefits from an exceptional location in the appellation. The Martillac plateau is composed of a mosaic of gravel dating from the Quaternary, including flint, quartz, lydian and jasper. These soils constitute the terroir of choice for Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. The other main terroir of the property is located closer to the Garonne, where we find clay-limestone and gravelly soils on the surface. This is where the Merlot and the white grape varieties of the property are planted (Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon).

The vintage

A particularly wet winter preceded a spring punctuated by episodes of frost and then a strong mildew pressure which had an impact on the vineyard. The flowering recorded at the beginning of June was uniform. The cool conditions throughout summer, with the exception of a heatwave at the end of July and on August 15th, slowed down the veraison period.

Vinification and aging

Chateau Latour-Martillac 2021 is the second vintage to be vinified in the property's new cellar. Aged in oak barrels (40% new).

The blend

Cabernet Sauvignon (60%)

Merlot (30%)

Petit Verdot (10%).

Chateau Latour-Martillac 2021: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Nose

The nose combines fruity (black fruits) and spicy fragrances.

Palate

The palate reveals a beautiful freshness and acidity that harmoniously blends with fine and elegant tannins.