Château Latour a Pomerol Pomerol 2019

Château Latour à Pomerol in the appellation of Pomerol is known for producing generous, concentrated wines that strike a perfect balance between elegance and power. The estate is planted to 100% Merlot with an average vine age of 25 years. In the 1940s, 50s and 60s, the wine's majestic style was often compared to Château Pétrus. Today, it typically compares to Châteaux Trotanoy or Lafleur Pétrus. Farmed and managed by the quality-driven Jean-Pierre Moueix firm of Château Pétrus fame, 2019 Latour à Pomerol is a great vintage to cellar and drink/decant from 2026-2039.  

After a mild winter, spring alternated between sun and rain. Narrowly escaping a frost on April 13th, it was the rain in early June that first influenced the vintage. Indeed, the flowering suffered as a result and Merlot grapes counted an average of just 120 berries (instead of 200 usually). Confirming global warming trends, the summer was exceptionally sunny and warm, just missing the historic record for hours of sunshine set in 2018. On the gravel plateau of Pomerol, hydric stress set in as early as mid-July. Happily, this area of Pomerol received gentle, favorable rain on July 26th (1.4 inches) that set off a quick and even veraison. This moment marked the qualitative turn of the vintage. At the end of August, Merlot grapes weighed 1.2 grams on average (instead of 1.5 grams in a normal vintage), heralding exceptional concentration but low yields: -20% in Pomerol. Graced by fine weather, the estate hand harvested optimally ripe grapes from September 18th until the 24th.

Appellation: Pomerol  
Vineyard size: 8 hectares (19.8 acres)
Vineyard grape varietals: 100% Merlot
Average vine age: 25 years   
Soil Types: Deep gravel & clay (2/3) Clay & loam (1/3)   
Viticulture: Certified HVE 3 « Culture raisonnée » Soil tilling (4 ways) Vine growth   
management adapted to the climatic conditions
Harvest: Manual harvest. Double sorting: manual and optical
Harvest dates: September 14th - 22nd 2020     
Winemaking:  In thermo-regulated concrete and stainless-steel vats Gentle &   
controlled maceration & extraction  
Aging: 16-18 months in French oak barrels (40% new)