The weather conditions: After a particularly wet winter and early spring (800mm of rainfall between 1 December 1978 and 31 May) fine weather prevailed through May and June. Flowering started two weeks late, on 20 June, but conditions were very favourable. The flowers developed very well. Hot dry weather in July encouraged good growth. The weather in August was cooler but remained dry. The grapes were in perfect condition. Ripening began somewhat late, around 25 August, and the grapes ripened through a beautiful September. Showers between 20 and 25 September refreshed the grapes that by this time were beginning to suffer from the drought. Harvesting began on 4 October - confirmation that 1979 was a late year - and finished on the 18th. This is rarely a handicap in the Bordelais since one of the characteristics of its climate is a fine autumn.

Vintage quality and tasting comments: The red wines in general were of high quality with beautiful color, good body and a good tannic constitution. Today (2000), the wine has a very deep color, with a rich and profound nose of musk, leather and ripe fruits. Rich mouth with charm and roundness and an elegant finish.

Quality: Good year

The moment for optimal drinking and best way of serving: The Grand Vin can now be opened and will last another 5-8 years. Les Forts de Latour should be drunk now. For service, keep the bottle vertical at least half a day to settle the sediments at the bottom of the bottle. Then slowly pour the wine into a decanter in order to get rid of these sediments, keep in the decanter for 1/2 hour for aeration and serve (no aeration is needed for Les Forts de Latour).

Wine maker notes

Chateau Latour: A monument at the image of the tower of the 17th century, where it got its name from ! Situated in the extreme South of the appellation at the border of the commune Saint-Julien and at the bank of the Garonne, this domain includes with 65 hectares (of which 45 hectares, « the paddock », are exclusively reserved for great wines) the whole quaternary gravel rump. For centuries Latour dominates the Premier Crus of Southern Médoc, some say even of Bordeaux, by its wines’ exceptional quality and unbroken regularity, whose extraordinary richness demands long patience to unfold its whole ampleness. The planted grape varieties favour a strong proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (75%), the Merlot occupies 20% of the surface and only 5% are planted with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The uncompromising choice before the elaboration (grgeat density per hectare, wine harvest according to maturity, extended vatting, drastic selection) exalt its exclusive character – demanding in its youth, but of an incomparable generosity in its maturity.