Chateau Latour a Pomerol Bordeaux Wine, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Chateau Latour a Pomerol with wine tasting notes and wine with food pairings. Learn the best vintages, the history of the property, and information on the vineyards, and winemaking. If you want to read about other important, Bordeaux Chateaux: Links to all Bordeaux Wine Producer Profiles

Chateau Latour a Pomeroy History, Overview

Chateau Latour a’ Pomerol has vineyards that are located not far from Chateau Clinet and Chateau Feytit Clinet. Another famed vineyard that is fairly close is Chateau Trotanoy. Chateau Latour a’ Pomerol has a long history in the region that dates all the way back to the mid or late 1800s when the wine was sold under the name of La-Tour-Pomerol.

Chateau Latour a’ Pomerol, in its early days, was the property of the Garitey family before it was passed to Madame Loubat who also owned Petrus in 1917. Madame Loubat remained the owner of Chateau Latour a’ Pomerol until her death in 1961.

At that time it was passed to Lily Lacoste, her niece. While Latour a’ Pomerol continues to be managed by Ets. Moueix today, they are not the owners. The Lacoste family retained the estate until 2002 when it was donated to the Fondation de Foyers de Charite de Chateauneuf de Galaure, a charity.

Interestingly, Latour a’ Pomerol produced some of the most legendary wines of the 20th century. 1947, 1950, 1959, and 1961 are all Bordeaux legends.

What makes that even more amazing is that 1959 and the historic 1961 were produced from very young vines due to the fact that the vineyards needed to be replanted after the 1956 frost! The majority of the vineyard needed to be replanted after the frost, starting in 1957.

However, perhaps due to its inconsistency, the high quality of the wines produced by Latour a’ Pomerol went without much notice until they were written about by the famed wine critic, Robert Parker.

With the exception of the 1970 and 1982 vintages, Chateau Latour a’ Pomerol has not been on top of its game for decades. This seems to have changed in 2009, as the property produced a very strong wine in that vintage as well as in 2010 and 2015.

The best vintages of Chateau Latour Pomerol are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2000, 1998, 1990, 1982, 1971, 1970, 1964, 1961, 1959, 1955, 1950, 1947 and 1945. As of today, the quality of Chateau Latour a’ Pomerol continues improving. Latour a’ Pomerol is a Pomerol wine to look out for.

2009, 2010, 2015, 2018. 2019, and 2020 are the best wines the estate has produced since 1982. But as great as those wines are they are not at the level of what was produced in the ’40s, ’50s, and especially the legendary 1961. Here is a secret tip for you. If you can find well-stored bottles, look for the 1970 and 1971. Both vintages are sublime!

Going back in time for a fun moment, until at least the legendary 1961 vintage, you were able to find negociant bottles selling the wine as Chateau Latour, Pomerol, Vin Superieur in Belgium and perhaps in other countries as well, making the wine appear as though it was from Chateau Latour in Pauillac.

Chateau Latour a Pomerol Vineyards, Terroir, Grapes, Winemaking

The 7.9-hectare, Right Bank Bordeaux vineyard of Latour a’ Pomerol is planted to 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. This shows a slight increase in the amount of Merlot planted here since the mid-1990s. The terroir is gravel, clay, and sandy soil.

Due to the small size of most Pomerol vineyards, the vines are most often found in contiguous plantings. That is not the case with Latour a’ Pomerol as their vines are spread out over the Pomerol appellation. You find plantings in great terroir, as well as in weaker vineyards.

However, their best parcels with their oldest vines are located quite close to the famous Church. Perhaps, because their wine is produced from numerous varying levels of terroir, that is the reason the wine lacks consistency. When it’s good, it’s truly great! But numerous vintages between 1982 and 2008 have been at best, well-made quality wines, but they were not exciting.

That being said, the wine of Chateau Latour Pomerol was outstanding in 2009. Some of the credit to the improvement in their wines can be attributed to the new drainage system placed in the vineyards. The drainage system completed in 2003 allows a system of wells and pumps to ferry out the water in very wet vintages. The lack of slopes made this an important part of the estate’s renovation.

To produce the wine of Latour a’ Pomerol, two laser sorting tables have been in use since 2009. After sorting, the wine is vinified in thermoregulated concrete vats for the most part.

Starting in 2004 they have also been using stainless tanks for the vinification as well. Malolactic fermentation takes place mostly in the tank with a small portion of the wine going through malolactic fermentation in barrels. The press wine is added or not during the barrel aging process depending on the vintage.

Chateau Latour a’ Pomerol is aged in between 30% new, French oak barrels and 50% new, French oak barrels for on average close to 18 months, depending on the quality and character of the vintage. On average, the production of Chateau Latour a’ Pomerol is close to 2,500 cases of wine per year.

When to Drink Chateau Latour A Pomerol, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Chateau Latour a’ Pomerol needs at least 8-12 years of aging in good vintages until it is ready to be enjoyed. Young vintages can be decanted for 1-2 hours.

This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment. Chateau Latour A Pomerol offers its best drinking and should reach peak maturity between 10-35 years of age after the vintage.

Serving Chateau Latour a Pomerol with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Chateau Latour a’ Pomerol is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Chateau Latour a Pomerol is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, and grilled dishes. Chateau Latour a Pomerol is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, and pasta.

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