Forts de Latour - Pauillac 2012

Wine Advocate

93-93

byNeal Martinthe9/20/2022

The 2012 Les Forts de Latour has a light minty bouquet, more red than black fruit, touches of orange peel and light pencil shaving scents. The palate is medium-bodied with good density, fine tannins, becoming increasingly precise towards the finish, graphite and black pepper lingering on the aftertaste. Wonderful breeding here, a step ahead of other Deuxième Vins. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

92

byJane Ansonthe3/3/2022

Great quality, in a sweet spot to drink. Has power and grace, and plenty of raspy slate-strewn tannins to sink into, muscular enough to showcase the powerful soils of Latour. Blueberry and blackcurrant fruits in abundance, violet-edged, succulent rather than intense. No need to rush to drink, not the same persistency as 2010 or 2016, but this is easy to recommend. 43% of overall production.

WeinWisser

17,5

byRené Gabrielthe5/31/2018

76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot: Sattes, dunkles Purpurrot. Tiefgestaffeltes, expressives Bouquet mit reifen Noten von Cassis und dunk-len Otiven. Am Gaumen saftig ohne Ende, mit geschliffener Fülle, Struktur und Substanz, dabei mit gutem Zug und Frische ausgestattet, im Finale wieder mit Oliven und salzigen An-

Wine Advocate

90

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2015

The second wine, from vineyards outside of their famous walled l’enclos, the 2012 Les Forts de Latour (75% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance mostly Merlot) is a beautiful, elegant wine with a dense purple color, notes of sweet black cherries and blackcurrants, subtle background minerality and no evidence of oak. This medium to full-bodied, beautifully constructed and layered Les Forts de Latour should drink nicely for 15 or more years.

Jamessuckling.com

92

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2015

Perfumed and bright with mineral, currant, raspberry and citrus character. Full body, fine tannins and a crisp finish. Orange peel. Better in 2017.

Wine Spectator

91

byJames Molesworththe2/10/2015

Admirably rich for the vintage, with solid plum and black currant paste flavors, allied to a decidedly brisk and racy structure and backed by plum pit, iron and singed alder notes through the finish, giving this a rather linear feel overall. Should age well, and will likely always have more cut than breadth. Best from 2017 through 2025. 11,933 cases made. –JM

timatkin.com

94

byTim Atkin MWthe6/30/2013

The best second wine from a first growth in 2012, reflecting the quality of Latour itself, this is not a big, buxom Pauillac by any means, but its charms are considerable, with lovely focus and freshness, refined tannins and hints of graphite, minerality and blackcurrant. Long and well balanced. Drink: 2020-35

Le Point

15,5-16

byJacques Dupontthe5/16/2013

Fruits rouges, joli nez très expressif, bouche ronde, épicée, joli fruit, tendu, serré, un peu agressif en finale. O= 2017 G= 13 ans.

Wine Spectator

91-94

byJames Molesworththe4/30/2013

Rather bright, offering plum pit, Campari, damson plum and black cherry fruit, with a strong violet note and a lovely, brisk, iron-framed finish. Very racy. Tasted non-blind. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

17.5

byMatthew Jukesthe4/30/2013

Wine Advocate

89-91

byRobert Parkerthe4/26/2013

The 2012 Les Forts de Latour is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Merlot and a bit of Petit Verdot. 42.4% of the crop made it into this second wine. It is a lighter-styled, medium-bodied effort exhibiting notes of graphite, black currants and wet rocks along with an attractive mid-weight and freshness. There is a lot of precision and elegance to this 2012, which, like its bigger brother, is lighter than most vintages. Chateau Latour harvested its Merlot between September 24 and October 4, and most of the crop ended up in Les Forts de Latour and Pauillac. The Cabernet Sauvignon was picked between October 5 and 16, the Cabernet Franc on October 8 (obviously a wet harvest), and the Petit Verdot on October 12. 

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92

byJeff Levethe4/26/2013

Aromas of cedar chest and cassis led to a polished wine with soft textures and refined tannins which produced an elegant style of Forts de Latour. Reaching 12.8% alcohol, the wine ended with fresh, polished black raspberry fruits. 90-92 Pts

Jean-Marc QUARIN

16,25

byJean-Marc Quarinthe4/25/2013

Couleur sombre de bonne intensité et belle. Nez fruité, fin et mûr. Bouche ronde, juteuse, très aromatique et suave. Le vin évolue très hédoniste et s’achève sur une longueur normale, savoureuse au grain fin.

Jancis Robinson

17

byJancis Robinsonthe4/24/2013

Drink 2020-2035Dark purple. Smoky nose. An edge of gunsmoke. Different and more demanding to taste than previous years. Just a little stringy.

Decanter.com

17,5

bySteven Spurrierthe4/22/2013

Superb colour, cassis fruit and the classic graphite grip of top Pauillacs, fragrance, precision and great class. 17.5/20pts ( 91/100pts)Drink: 2017 - 2030

Jamessuckling.com

91-92

byJames Sucklingthe4/4/2013

A firm and fresh Les Forts. A pretty sample with bright fruit. Full body, with a racy backbone of tannins and a long, excellent finish.