2012 Forts de Latour

94 POINTS

Tim Atkin MW

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

93 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2012 Les Forts de Latour has a light minty bouquet, more red than black fruit, touches of orange peel and light pencil shaving scents. The palate is medium-bodied with good density, fine tannins, becoming increasingly precise towards the finish, graphite and black pepper lingering on the aftertaste. Wonderful breeding here, a step ahead of other Deuxième Vins . Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

93 POINTS

James Suckling

A juicy and rich red, offering chocolate and hazelnuts. Plum and berry undertones. Full-bodied with angular tannins that are firm and muscular. Needs a year or two to soften still.

92 POINTS

Robert Parker - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2012 Les Forts de Latour is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Merlot and a bit of Petit Verdot. 42.4% of the crop made it into this second wine. It is a lighter-styled, medium-bodied effort exhibiting notes of graphite, black currants and wet rocks along with an attractive mid-weight and freshness. There is a lot of precision and elegance to this 2012, which, like its bigger brother, is lighter than most vintages. Chateau Latour harvested its Merlot between September 24 and October 4, and most of the crop ended up in Les Forts de Latour and Pauillac. The Cabernet Sauvignon was picked between October 5 and 16, the Cabernet Franc on October 8 (obviously a wet harvest), and the Petit Verdot on October 12. The 2012 Latour, which is off the market as a wine future until the Pinault family and Frederic Engerer agree on when to release it (probably 7-8 years from now), is a blend of 90.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.6% Merlot and the rest a tiny dollop of Petit Verdot. Only 36% of the crop was utilized in the grand vin, which achieved 12.8% natural alcohol.

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.

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

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

Matthew Jukes

18/20