Louis Latour Pinot Noir Bourgogne

Louis Latour Pinot Noir Bourgogne is a 100% Pinot Noir from Burgundy, France, bottled at 13% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2020 vintage earned 92 points from Wine Enthusiast, underscoring its consistent quality among regional Bourgogne reds from one of Burgundy's most historic négociant houses.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13%  |  Origin: Bourgogne, Burgundy, France  |  Style: Regional Appellation Red  |  Producer: Maison Louis Latour

Production & Heritage

Maison Louis Latour, founded in 1797, is one of Burgundy's oldest and most prominent négociant-éléveur firms, with vineyard holdings spanning the region's finest appellations. This Bourgogne Pinot Noir is hand-harvested and fermented in traditional open vats at the estate's historic gravity-fed cuverie — the first purpose-built facility of its kind in France, still operational today and using an internal railway and elevator system that moves fruit and juice entirely by gravity. After fermentation, the wine ages for 10 to 12 months in stainless steel vats, preserving primary fruit character. Notably, Louis Latour applies flash pasteurization to their red wines, a technique the house maintains improves stability without compromising aging potential — a practice that distinguishes them from most Burgundy producers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright, fresh cherry and raspberry, followed by subtle spice and a gentle undergrowth character. With air, earthy beetroot-like nuances emerge alongside delicate red fruit.

Taste: The palate entry is juicy and vivid, led by raspberry and blackcurrant flavors wrapped in soft, well-integrated tannins. At mid-palate, a savory earthiness develops alongside licorice and a gentle grip of tannin that provides structure without heaviness. The overall impression is round, fresh, and balanced.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering red fruit and a thread of licorice. The tannins resolve smoothly, leaving a clean, lightly spiced close.

How to Drink Louis Latour Bourgogne

This Bourgogne Pinot Noir drinks well slightly chilled to around 14–16°C (57–61°F), served in a standard Burgundy glass to concentrate the delicate aromatics. It rewards drinking neat but also takes well to food pairing.

• Kir: Use as the red wine base in a Kir, where its bright cherry fruit complements the cassis liqueur without being overpowered.
• Red Wine Spritzer: The clean, fruit-forward profile holds up when lengthened with a splash of sparkling water for a lighter warm-weather serve.
• Mulled Wine: Its balanced fruit and gentle spice notes make it an excellent foundation for mulled wine during cooler months.

Best For

• Introducing someone to authentic Burgundy Pinot Noir without the price of village-level wines
• Weeknight dinners with roast chicken, charcuterie, or mushroom dishes
• Building a Burgundy tasting flight alongside village and premier cru selections
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Old World French producers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Louis Latour Bourgogne Pinot Noir taste like? It delivers bright cherry and raspberry flavors alongside savory earthiness, licorice, and soft tannins. The overall profile is juicy, balanced, and medium-bodied with a clean, fruit-driven finish.

How does Louis Latour Bourgogne compare to Joseph Drouhin Laforêt Bourgogne Pinot Noir? Both are regional Bourgogne Pinot Noirs from major Burgundy négociants, but Louis Latour ages exclusively in stainless steel, resulting in a more fruit-forward, primary style. Drouhin's Laforêt typically sees partial oak contact, giving it slightly more weight and subtle wood influence.

Is Louis Latour Bourgogne good for beginners? Yes — its approachable fruit character, soft tannins, and moderate 13% ABV make it an accessible entry into Burgundy Pinot Noir. It clearly expresses varietal typicity without the complexity or price of higher-tier appellations.

Where is Louis Latour Bourgogne made? It is produced by Maison Louis Latour, headquartered in Beaune in the Côte d'Or department of Burgundy, France. The grapes are sourced from across the regional Bourgogne appellation, which encompasses vineyards throughout the broader Burgundy region.

What foods pair well with Louis Latour Bourgogne? Roast chicken or duck pairs naturally with its medium body and bright acidity. Mushroom risotto echoes the wine's earthy undertones. Charcuterie boards with cured meats complement the red fruit and spice. Gruyère or Comté cheese mirrors the savory, slightly nutty finish. Beet salad with goat cheese picks up on the wine's beetroot-like earthiness.

What sizes does Louis Latour Bourgogne come in? The standard format is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available size for this regional Bourgogne appellation wine.

Is Louis Latour Bourgogne worth the price? It positions as an entry-level Burgundy from a prestigious, historically significant house, delivering authentic regional Pinot Noir character and consistent quality. For those seeking genuine Bourgogne without stepping up to village-level pricing, it represents solid value in its tier.

Why Louis Latour Bourgogne?

This wine draws its distinction from the pedigree and infrastructure behind it — Maison Louis Latour's gravity-fed cuverie, the oldest purpose-built winemaking facility still functioning in France, handles the entire vinification process without mechanical pumping, preserving fruit integrity from harvest through bottling. The decision to age entirely in stainless steel rather than oak is deliberate, prioritizing pure Pinot Noir expression over winemaker influence. A 92-point score from Wine Enthusiast for the 2020 vintage confirms that this approach delivers results vintage after vintage. Among regional Bourgogne Pinot Noirs, few come from a house with over two centuries of continuous Burgundy winemaking behind every bottle.