The weather conditions: A particularly warm winter brought along a very early start of growth, observed at Latour on 1 March for the Merlot. A variable spring with cold periods at the end of March somewhat slowed this advance. May was hot and sunny and the mid-flowering, noted on 25 May (about two weeks earlier than normal). It was however very spread out. The beginning of July saw a rigorous « eclaircissage » (thinning). The summer heat was intense and the terrible drought blocked the progress toward maturation. But the power of the underground clay layers in the « Enclos » allowed the vineyard to resist very well and the ripening accelerated in the first days of September. The 1990 harvest at Latour was a very long one, from 10 September to 2 October, because of the difference in ripeness between the plots. Rain on 22-23 September helped the Cabernet Sauvignon to achieve full maturity.

Vintage quality and tasting comments: Grand Vin - A monumental Latour, still young and closed today (May 2000), dark color, with layers of complex aromas of roasted fruits, liquorice, chocolate, caramel, dark cherry...The mouth has an incredible volume, full and fat, almost perfectly balanced with an endless finish. Les Forts de Latour : like its « big brother », this a wonderful wine, not much more opened though for the moment, with powerful aromas of dark roasted fruits, and light cedar, leather, and tobacco. The mouth is full of charm, fat, dense and well-structured. For the first time in a great year, a generic Pauillac was made, increasing all the more the quality of Les Forts de Latour.

Quality: Exceptional year

The moment for optimal drinking and best way of serving: Grand Vin - From 2005 and till 2030 and more (?) Should this wine be opened in the 5 next years, a long aeration (at least 2 hours) in a decanter is highly recommended. Les Forts de Latour : From 2002, with an anticipated peak in 2010. An aeration of at least one hour in a decanter is necessary if this wine is to be opened today.

Wine maker notes

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot Average vine age is 37 years. In order to retain the advantage of older vines, the renewal of the vines is not done in lots, but periodically throughout the vineyard. Each vine that is replaced is identified by a yellow plastic ring, making them easily identifiable so they can be harvested before the main harvest in order to avoid any confusion. This isolation of the young vines continues for 8 years. The 124 acres produce around 20,000 cases.