Château Latour 2007 is a vintage that perfectly encapsulates the philosophy and meticulous care of one of Bordeaux’s most prestigious estates. Although it may not be as universally lauded as some other iconic years, this wine possesses a special charm and complexity that wine enthusiasts have come to appreciate over the years. With its excellent structure and impressive aging potential, Château Latour 2007 stands as a remarkable example of Bordeaux craftsmanship. For collectors and connoisseurs, this wine offers the opportunity to experience an exceptional quality Bordeaux wine at a relatively accessible price, particularly for those looking to secure a bottle from one of the finest wineries in the world.
Château Latour’s Approach to Winemaking
Château Latour has been at the forefront of Bordeaux winemaking for centuries. The estate’s approach to winemaking combines a deep respect for tradition with an openness to innovation, ensuring that each vintage reflects the unique terroir of the Pauillac region. The vineyard’s soils, primarily composed of gravel, clay, and limestone, contribute to the rich and complex character of the wines produced here. For Château Latour 2007, the estate took particular care to select the best fruit, ensuring that only the ripest and most flavorful grapes made it into the final wine.
The winemaking process at Château Latour is meticulous from the start. Grapes are handpicked, sorted, and fermented with the utmost attention to detail. The wine undergoes fermentation in small oak vats, which allows for precise control over the temperature and extraction. Aging in French oak barrels is another critical step in shaping the wine’s profile. For Château Latour 2007, the wine spent an extended period in oak barrels, which helped to refine its tannin structure and impart a subtle complexity. The wine’s aging process in these barrels, alongside its time spent in the bottle, ensures that it evolves gracefully, with potential to improve over the years.
A Closer Look at the Vineyard’s Terroir
The terroir of Château Latour is one of the key elements that contribute to the distinctive character of its wines. The estate’s vineyard is located in the northern part of the Médoc, an area renowned for producing some of the finest Bordeaux wines. The gravel soils found here, combined with a temperate climate, provide an ideal environment for growing the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot varieties that are the hallmark of Château Latour wines.
For the 2007 vintage, the weather during the growing season was somewhat unpredictable. The spring saw a cool start, followed by a warm and dry summer, with occasional rainfall in August. These weather fluctuations meant that the vines had to be carefully monitored to ensure that the grapes reached optimal ripeness. Despite these challenges, Château Latour’s experienced vineyard management team adapted well, ultimately producing a wine of exceptional quality. The relatively cool temperatures during the growing season preserved the wine’s freshness and balance, allowing for a wine that is both approachable in its youth and capable of aging well.
The Role of Cabernet Sauvignon in Château Latour 2007
Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant grape variety in the blend of Château Latour 2007, making up a significant portion of the final wine. This variety is known for its ability to produce wines with great depth, structure, and aging potential. In the case of the 2007 vintage, the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were harvested at the peak of ripeness, resulting in a wine with a firm tannin structure and dark fruit flavors.
The role of Cabernet Sauvignon in Château Latour 2007 is critical, as it provides the backbone and depth of the wine. The variety’s natural acidity helps to balance the wine’s fruit-forward character, while its tannins give the wine its age-worthiness. Over time, as the wine matures, the tannins will soften, allowing the fruit flavors to emerge more fully. This gives wine lovers an opportunity to witness the transformation of the wine as it ages gracefully.
Merlot and Petit Verdot: The Supporting Cast
While Cabernet Sauvignon takes center stage in Château Latour 2007, the Merlot and Petit Verdot grape varieties play an important supporting role in the blend. Merlot, with its rounder, fruitier character, adds softness and a certain plushness to the wine. This grape variety helps to balance the structure provided by the Cabernet Sauvignon and contributes to the wine’s overall accessibility, particularly in its youth.
Petit Verdot, although a minor component in the blend, adds an element of spice and complexity to the wine. Known for its deep color and bold flavors, Petit Verdot gives Château Latour 2007 an extra layer of richness and intensity. When blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Petit Verdot enhances the wine’s overall profile, making it more vibrant and multi-dimensional.
The Importance of Oak Aging in Château Latour 2007
One of the key elements of Château Latour’s winemaking process is the use of oak barrels for aging. The 2007 vintage spent a significant amount of time aging in French oak barrels, which play a crucial role in shaping the wine’s flavor profile. The oak adds subtle notes of vanilla, toasted nuts, and a slight smokiness, which harmonize beautifully with the wine’s dark fruit flavors.
The oak also contributes to the structure and texture of the wine. The tannins from the oak barrels integrate with those from the grapes, helping to round out the wine and give it a smooth, polished finish. The extended aging period allows the wine to absorb the flavors from the oak, enhancing its complexity and adding depth. This process is one of the reasons why Château Latour 2007 has such remarkable aging potential, as the oak provides the necessary foundation for the wine to continue evolving in the bottle over time.
The Perfect Pairings for Château Latour 2007
As a wine of such depth and complexity, Château Latour 2007 pairs exceptionally well with a wide range of dishes. Given its rich, full-bodied nature, it is best enjoyed alongside hearty and flavorful foods. Red meats are a natural pairing for this wine, with dishes like ribeye steak, roast lamb, or venison making excellent companions. The wine’s tannin structure complements the richness of these meats, creating a harmonious balance between the food and the wine.
Château Latour 2007 also pairs well with rich sauces, such as béarnaise or a red wine reduction, which enhance the wine’s depth and complexity. For cheese lovers, the wine’s bold character pairs beautifully with aged cheeses, such as a firm cheddar or Gruyère, as well as blue cheeses like Roquefort. The intensity of the wine stands up to the strong flavors of these cheeses, creating a memorable tasting experience.
Cellaring and Investment Potential of Château Latour 2007
As with most fine Bordeaux wines, Château Latour 2007 has considerable aging potential. While it is enjoyable now, those who choose to cellar the wine will be rewarded with a more nuanced and complex drinking experience in the future. With its firm tannins and balanced acidity, this wine is capable of evolving over the next 15 to 20 years, and possibly even longer under ideal storage conditions.
For collectors, Château Latour 2007 presents a valuable opportunity. While it may not be as highly regarded as some of the estate’s other vintages, it is still a wine of exceptional quality that is likely to appreciate in value over time. As fewer bottles remain in circulation and as the wine matures, its rarity and desirability will increase, making it a smart investment for collectors who are willing to wait for the wine to reach its peak.
Conclusion: The Lasting Appeal of Château Latour 2007
Château Latour 2007 may not have been the most heralded vintage from this renowned estate, but it remains a remarkable wine that showcases the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of the vineyard. With its elegant balance of dark fruits, oak, and tannins, it offers an impressive drinking experience now and has the potential to evolve into something even more remarkable with age.
For wine enthusiasts, Château Latour 2007 is a wine to treasure—whether it’s enjoyed today or cellared for future enjoyment. Its legacy as part of one of Bordeaux’s greatest estates ensures that it will continue to captivate and inspire wine lovers for years to come.
