The second wine of Chateau Latour comes from the vines immediately surrounding the château, known as L’Enclos; Les Forts de Latour, first created in 1966, and now regarded as a great wine in its own right, certainly worthy of Classified Growth status. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate – 94 Points – Composed of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35.6% Merlot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc and 0.9% Petit Verdot, the 2015 Les Forts de Latour needs a fair bit of air to unlock a profound, powerhouse nose of blackcurrant cordial, boysenberries, plum preserves and dark chocolate, with suggestions of Chinese five spice, clove oil, violets and crushed rocks. The palate packs an absolute flavor wallop, bursting with rich, ripe black fruits and loads of spicy sparks, while framed by beautifully plush tannins, finishing long and minerally. Not at all heavy, on the contrary, the Les Forts is both expansive AND tantalizingly refreshing. In terms of evolution, it has barely budged since I last tasted it in 2017. Impressive.

Food Pairing: Roasted, braised or grilled meats like beef, veal and game, as well as dishes with mushroom or earthy, truffle flavors.