Les Forts De Latour 1994

Les Forts De Latour 1994 is the second wine of Château Latour, a Pauillac Bordeaux blend in a standard 750ml bottle from the 1994 vintage. Awarded 87 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate in December 1996, this bottling represents one of Pauillac's most respected second labels from a challenging yet rewarding Bordeaux vintage.

Quick Facts: Vintage: 1994  |  Origin: Pauillac, Bordeaux, France  |  Classification: Second Wine of Château Latour (First Growth)  |  Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc

Production & Heritage

Château Latour holds Premier Grand Cru Classé status under the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, making it one of only five First Growth estates on the Left Bank. Les Forts De Latour draws from younger vines on the estate and from 47 hectares of vineyards surrounding the Grand Enclos, as well as from vats not ultimately selected for the Grand Vin. This curation process means Les Forts benefits directly from the same terroir, winemaking rigor, and cellar expertise as its elder sibling, yet at an earlier drinking window and distinct flavor profile. Traditional Bordeaux vinification is employed, including fermentation and extended maceration before aging in oak barrels.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with moderately intense walnut and sweet black currant, layered over a mineral-driven core. Subtle vanilla and earth notes emerge with time in the glass, adding complexity to the bouquet.

Taste: On entry, the palate reveals dense, concentrated cassis fruit supported by firm tannins. The mid-palate expands into medium-to-full body territory, with mineral threads and dark berry flavors holding structure. At its peak, the wine shows admirable density and a tightly wound tannic backbone — characteristics Robert Parker described as "formidably tannic" and "backward" at the time of his 1996 review.

Finish: The finish is moderately long, marked by lingering tannins and a mineral-laced persistence. With over three decades of bottle age, those tannins have had significant time to integrate, potentially revealing a smoother, more resolved texture today.

How to Drink Les Forts De Latour 1994

A wine of this age and structure is best served at 16–18°C (60–64°F) and benefits from decanting 30 to 60 minutes before pouring to allow the mature aromas to unfold. Given its vintage, the 1994 is ideally enjoyed on its own or alongside classic Left Bank-friendly cuisine. Pair it with herb-crusted rack of lamb, where the wine's tannin and cassis depth complement the richness of the meat. Grilled rib-eye with a red wine reduction will mirror the wine's dark fruit core. Aged hard cheeses like Comté or Gruyère provide a savory counterpoint to its mineral complexity.

Best For

• Bordeaux collectors seeking mature Left Bank vintages ready to drink
• Gifting a serious wine enthusiast with a meaningful birth-year or anniversary vintage
• Special-occasion dinner pairing with classic French or refined red-meat dishes
• Exploring how a First Growth second wine evolves over three decades of cellar aging

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Les Forts De Latour 1994 taste like? This Pauillac Bordeaux blend delivers concentrated black currant and cassis fruit, firm tannins, mineral undertones, and touches of walnut and vanilla. With over 30 years of bottle age, the originally formidable tannins may have softened into a more integrated, mature profile.

How does Les Forts De Latour compare to Carruades de Lafite? Both are second wines of Pauillac First Growths — Les Forts from Château Latour, Carruades from Château Lafite Rothschild. Les Forts De Latour is generally considered more structured and tannic, reflecting Latour's characteristically powerful Pauillac style, while Carruades tends toward a more elegant and approachable profile.

Is Les Forts De Latour 1994 good for cellaring? At over 30 years old, this wine has already undergone extensive aging and is likely at or past its peak drinking window. It is best suited for near-term consumption after careful storage verification rather than additional long-term cellaring.

Where is Les Forts De Latour made? Les Forts De Latour is produced at Château Latour in the Pauillac appellation on the Left Bank of Bordeaux, France. The estate sits along the Gironde estuary, where deep gravel soils and maritime climate produce some of the world's most age-worthy red wines.

What foods pair well with Les Forts De Latour 1994? Herb-crusted rack of lamb complements the wine's cassis and mineral character. Braised short ribs work well with the wine's tannic structure and dark fruit. Duck confit with a berry reduction echoes the ripe fruit notes. Aged Comté or Gruyère provides a savory, nutty counterpart. Mushroom risotto aligns with the earthy, evolved qualities of a mature Bordeaux.

What sizes does Les Forts De Latour come in? The standard bottling is 750ml, though certain vintages of Les Forts De Latour have been released in magnums (1.5L) and half-bottles (375ml) depending on availability.

Is Les Forts De Latour 1994 worth the price? Les Forts De Latour positions as a premium second wine backed by First Growth pedigree, and the 1994 vintage — while not considered among Bordeaux's greatest years — earned a solid 87 points from Robert Parker and 17/20 from René Gabriel. Its value lies in offering mature Château Latour terroir character at a fraction of the Grand Vin price.

Why Les Forts De Latour 1994?

Few second wines in Bordeaux carry the weight and reputation that Les Forts De Latour commands. Sourced from the same Pauillac estate as one of the world's five First Growth wines, this 1994 bottling represents an opportunity to experience Château Latour's terroir — its gravel soils, its proximity to the Gironde, its winemaking precision — in a fully mature state. The 1994 vintage produced structured, tannic wines on the Left Bank, and three decades of development have given this bottle time to evolve well beyond its youthful austerity. For collectors and enthusiasts drawn to aged Bordeaux with genuine provenance, this is a bottle that tells a specific story of place and time.