Grand Vin de Château Latour 2002
Red wine; classical, full-bodied Left Bank Bordeaux blend built for long-term cellaring. · Château Latour (owned by François Pinault's Artémis Group since 1993). It is an iconic First Growth (Premier Grand Cru Classé) estate from the 1855 Official Classification, renowned worldwide for producing remarkably long-lived, powerful, and consistent Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines.
Vintage: 2002. Considered an underrated, classical Bordeaux vintage. A cool and wet August was saved by an exceptionally sunny, dry, and warm September and October, allowing late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon to achieve high concentration and excellent quality, outperforming early-ripening Merlot.
Type
Red wine; classical, full-bodied Left Bank Bordeaux blend built for long-term cellaring.
Producer
Château Latour (owned by François Pinault's Artémis Group since 1993). It is an iconic First Growth (Premier Grand Cru Classé) estate from the 1855 Official Classification, renowned worldwide for producing remarkably long-lived, powerful, and consistent Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines.
Country
France. France sets historical benchmarks for fine winemaking globally, with the AOC system serving as a model for protected geographical designations worldwide.
Vintage
2002. Considered an underrated, classical Bordeaux vintage. A cool and wet August was saved by an exceptionally sunny, dry, and warm September and October, allowing late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon to achieve high concentration and excellent quality, outperforming early-ripening Merlot.
Region & Appellation
Bordeaux, Left Bank, Médoc, Pauillac AOC. Pauillac is widely considered the ultimate appellation for Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux, home to three of the five First Growth estates.
Grape Varieties
Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (typically around 80-85% in Latour), blended with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Cabernet Sauvignon delivers intense structure, cassis flavor, and firm tannins, while Merlot adds mid-palate flesh.
Color & Appearance
Deep garnet-purple core transitioning to a subtle brick/amber rim, indicating early maturity. High optical density with clear, heavy legs clinging to the glass.
Aroma Profile
Intense and complex bouquet showing blackcurrant, graphite, pencil shavings, cedar wood, leather, cured tobacco leaf, dried herbs, damp earth, and a subtle hint of dark chocolate.
Tasting Notes
A classical, muscular Left Bank profile. The attack is dense and precise, unfolding layers of ripe black fruit, crushed minerals, and subtle savory oak spice. Mid-palate exhibits monumental structure with sweet, fully integrated tannins and vibrant acidity. Long, savory, and refined finish with notes of tobacco and crushed stone.
Flavor Profile
Cassis, dark plum, black cherry, graphite, cedar, espresso, leather, dried mint, and forest floor. High flavor intensity with seamless evolution from fruit to tertiary savory notes.
Body & Texture
Full-bodied with a muscular, tightly knit, yet remarkably velvety texture. Dense extract balanced by pristine elegance.
Acidity & Tannins
Medium-plus, vibrant acidity providing freshness and drive; firm, fine-grained, mature tannins that give structural framing without astringency.
Sweetness Level
Bone dry (residual sugar < 2 g/L).
Alcohol Content
13.0% ABV. Balanced, moderate alcohol level characteristic of classic Bordeaux vintages, providing structure without hotness.
Aging & Oak
Aged approximately 18 to 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels (Tronçais and Allier forests). Oak integration is complete, offering subtle accents of spice, toast, and vanilla.
Food Pairings
Prime ribeye or rack of lamb with rosemary, roasted venison, wild game birds, truffle-infused beef tenderloin, or mature hard cheeses like Comté or aged Gouda.
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 16-18°C (61-64°F) in a large Bordeaux glass. Decant for 1 to 2 hours before serving to allow tertiary aromas to open up.
Price Range
$650 - $900 USD per 750ml bottle, depending on provenance and merchant.
Quality Assessment
94-96 points (Critically acclaimed). A true benchmark Left Bank First Growth that overperformed relative to initial vintage expectations.
Production Methods
Hand-picked grapes from the historic 'Enclos' vineyard; rigorous optical sorting; plot-by-plot fermentation in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats; full malolactic fermentation before barrel aging.
Terroir
Gravelly soils ('croupes') over deep clay subsoils located near the Gironde estuary, which creates a tempering microclimate protecting against extreme frost and drought.
History & Heritage
Dating back to at least the 14th century (with the original fortification 'La Tour de Saint-Lambert'). Ranked First Growth in 1855. In 2012, Latour famously withdrew from selling en primeur to release wines only when approaching peak drinking windows.
Interesting Facts
The label prominently features the iconic Saint-Lambert tower topped by a lion. Château Latour is widely considered the most consistent First Growth, producing exceptional wine even in challenging vintages.
Cellaring Potential
Drinking window: 2015 to 2040+. The 2002 vintage is currently in its prime drinking phase but will easily hold in a temperature-controlled cellar for another 15+ years.
Similar Wines
Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Léoville Las Cases, Château Pontet-Canet, or Ridge Monte Bello.