2012 Forts de Latour

94 POINTS

Tim Atkin

The best second wine from a first growth in 2012, reflecting the quality of Latour itself, this is not a big, buxom Pauillac by any means, but its charms are considerable, with lovely focus and freshness, refined tannins and hints of graphite, minerality and blackcurrant. Long and well balanced. Drink: 2020-35

92 POINTS

James Suckling

Perfumed and bright with mineral, currant, raspberry and citrus character. Full body, fine tannins and a crisp finish. Orange peel. Better in 2017.

91 POINTS

Jeff Leve - The Wine Cellar Insider

Aromas of cedar chest and cassis led to a polished wine with soft textures and refined tannins which produced an elegant style of Forts de Latour. Reaching 12.8% alcohol, the wine ended with fresh, polished black raspberry fruits. 90-92 Pts

91 POINTS

James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

Admirably rich for the vintage, with solid plum and black currant paste flavors, allied to a decidedly brisk and racy structure and backed by plum pit, iron and singed alder notes through the finish, giving this a rather linear feel overall. Should age well, and will likely always have more cut than breadth. Best from 2017 through 2025. 11,933 cases made. –JM

90 POINTS

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

The second wine, from vineyards outside of their famous walled l’enclos, the 2012 Les Forts de Latour (75% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance mostly Merlot) is a beautiful, elegant wine with a dense purple color, notes of sweet black cherries and blackcurrants, subtle background minerality and no evidence of oak. This medium to full-bodied, beautifully constructed and layered Les Forts de Latour should drink nicely for 15 or more years.

Steven Spurrier - Decanter

Superb colour, cassis fruit and the classic graphite grip of top Pauillacs, fragrance, precision and great class. 17.5/20pts ( 91/100pts)Drink: 2017 - 2030 18/20

René Gabriel - WeinWisser

76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot: Sattes, dunkles Purpurrot. Tiefgestaffeltes, expressives Bouquet mit reifen Noten von Cassis und dunk-len Otiven. Am Gaumen saftig ohne Ende, mit geschliffener Fülle, Struktur und Substanz, dabei mit gutem Zug und Frische ausgestattet, im Finale wieder mit Oliven und salzigen An- klângen. 17.5+/20 2022 — 2035 18/20

Matthew Jukes

18/20