Latour à Pomerol

History of Château Latour à Pomerol

Château Latour à Pomerol takes its name from the small tower adjacent to the main building. Its history truly begins in 1917, when it was acquired by Madame Loubat, then owner of the famous Château Pétrus. The Loubat family, closely linked to the development of the estate, enabled the château to rise among the greatest names of Pomerol.

Upon Madame Loubat's death in 1961, the estate passed into the hands of her niece, Lily Lacoste-Loubat, who entrusted the management of the vineyards to the Moueix family in 1962. Although the property has changed hands several times, notably through a controversial donation in 2002 to a charity, management remains stable under the direction of Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix, major players in the Bordeaux wine world.

In 2024, the estate fully returns to the Moueix fold, thus sealing a new stage in the history of this vineyard. This connection with the Moueix family ensures that tradition, know-how and viticultural excellence are perpetuated year after year.

The 1947 and 1961 vintages of Château Latour in Pomerol are rated 100/100 by Robert Parker, while 1950 is rated 98/100 and 1959 and 1962 are rated 97/100, highlighting the excellence of this estate.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Latour à Pomerol

The vineyard of Château Latour à Pomerol covers about 8 hectares, spread over unique plots that fully benefit from the diversity of soils in the Pomerol appellation. This terroir is mainly composed of gravelly-clay soils (about two-thirds of the estate) and clay loams (one-third), which gives the wines a rare aromatic richness and complexity.

The best plots of the estate are located near the church of Pomerol, on gravel soils that offer excellent drainage capacity, essential to ensure the concentration and quality of the grapes. This proximity to prestigious estates such as Château Clinet or Château Trotanoy underlines the exceptional quality of these terroirs.

Merlot reigns supreme in this vineyard, occupying 100% of the planted area. This grape variety, particularly suited to the conditions of Pomerol, allows for the production of wines that are at once powerful, silky and very expressive. The average age of the vines is 25 years, ensuring a perfect balance between concentration of aromas and complexity of tannins. These vines, managed according to traditional and environmentally friendly methods, are planted at a density of 6,000 vines per hectare, promoting high-quality production.

Vinifications at Château Latour à Pomerol

The winemaking methods at Château Latour à Pomerol combine tradition and modern precision. Each step is designed to preserve the intrinsic quality of the grape and extract its best potential. The harvest is carried out manually with extreme care, with the picking being done in several passes to ensure optimal ripeness of each bunch.

Once the grapes are meticulously sorted, fermentations take place in temperature-controlled concrete vats, known for their ability to preserve the freshness and integrity of the aromas. Since 2009, the château has also been using stainless steel vats for certain vinifications, allowing flexibility in managing different plots.

Malolactic fermentation, which plays a crucial role in softening the tannins and adding roundness to the wine, takes place mainly in vats, with a small proportion in barrels depending on the vintage. Ageing, meanwhile, is done in French oak barrels, of which about 30% are new. This process takes place over an average period of 18 months, according to the character of each vintage, allowing the wine to develop its structure and complexity while retaining a beautiful freshness.

The cuvées of Château Latour à Pomerol

Château Latour à Pomerol produces a single main cuvée, but it varies greatly depending on the vintage, offering a unique expression of the terroir each time. Some vintages of the estate have marked the history of great Bordeaux wines, and continue to be sought after by enthusiasts and collectors around the world.

Legendary vintages

1947, 1950, 1959, 1961: These vintages are among the greatest ever produced by Château Latour à Pomerol. The 1961 vintage is notably considered one of the best Bordeaux wines of all time, a model of balance and finesse.

1982, 2009, 2010, 2015: These years mark the strong comeback of the estate, after a period of inconsistency. The wines produced during these vintages are of exceptional quality, rivalling the best classified growths of the region.

Recent vintages

The latest vintages of the château, notably 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, perfectly embody the qualitative renaissance of the estate. These wines offer a perfect balance between freshness, aromatic richness and tannic structure.

The 2021, for example, seduces with its unctuousness, its notes of small black berries and violet, as well as its refinement. Already pleasant to taste when decanted, it will gain even more complexity in the years to come. This wine perfectly illustrates the estate's ability to produce harmonious wines with remarkable ageing potential.

Pomerol, one of Bordeaux's most prestigious appellations, has produced some of the finest wines over the decades. The most notable vintages include 1970, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1990, renowned for their complexity and longevity. Other exceptional years such as 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010 continue to delight fine wine enthusiasts. More recently, the vintages 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 have confirmed Pomerol's ability to offer wines of exceptional quality, thus cementing the appellation's reputation amongst Bordeaux's finest.

Discover the other great châteaux of Pomerol, true treasures of the Right Bank, where each estate rivals in excellence. Beyond the legendary Pétrus, explore prestigious names such as Beauregard, Bon Pasteur, Clinet, Gazin, Haut Trochaud, L'Eglise Clinet, La Conseillante, La Fleur Pétrus, Lafleur, Le Pin, Latour à Pomerol, Nénin, Trotanoy, or even Vieux Château Certan. These estates, often compared to the great classified growths of Saint-Émilion, offer a unique experience, rich in finesse and character, which will delight connoisseurs of fine wines. 

Château Latour à Pomerol is today one of the most emblematic vineyards of the Pomerol appellation. With its exceptional terroirs, rich history and traditional winemaking methods, it continues to produce top-class wines, prized for their elegance and depth. Lovers of great Bordeaux will find in this estate an essential reference, particularly thanks to recent vintages that rival the best productions of the region. Whether you are a collector looking for a historical vintage or a lover of wines with character, Château Latour à Pomerol offers an unforgettable experience, reflecting the viticultural excellence of Pomerol.