Chateau Latour, one of Bordeaux’s oldest and most famous wine producers, is a First Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. It’s located in Pauillac near the border with Saint-Julien.

Vines have existed on the property since the 14th century, but Chateau Latour first began producing wines of great quality in the early eighteenth century. The estate gradually came to specialize in wine production, with 38 hectares of vines in 1759 and 47 hectares in 1794.

The vineyard currently has 78 hectares in production. The grapes from the 47 hectares surrounding the chateau, known as “L’Enclos”, are used in the production of the Grand Vin. The 30 hectares outside of the Enclos are used for the Forts de Latour and the Pauillac wines. The estate is planted with about 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot on gravelly hilltops and clay subsoil.

The 2017 Chateau Latour, part of the 2024 Ex-Chateau Release, is a Bordeaux Blend from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France. This vintage is composed of 92.1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7.8% Merlot, and a mere 0.1% Petit Verdot. It boasts a deep garnet-purple color and is sealed with a cork.

The Wine Independent awarded it a near-perfect score of 98, praising its "deep garnet-purple color," and "showy notes of warm cassis, mulberries, and Morello cherries." They highlighted its "mineral-laced" palate with "velvety tannins" and a "lingering anise note." They noted that while it’s enjoyable now, it will improve with another 2 to 4 years of aging and has the potential to cellar for another 30 years.

Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com also scored it 98, emphasizing its "caliginous hue," and describing it as "concentrated, full-bodied, powerful, firm, and graceful." Leve noted the layers of "ripe, sweet, dark red fruits with salty tannins" that make it a pleasure to taste. He suggests it will be best enjoyed between 15-20 years after the vintage.

Jeb Dunnuck rated it 96, calling it a "complex, layered, incredibly impressive Latour." He pointed out its "classic notes of sweet red and black fruits, tobacco, graphite, and crushed stone." Dunnuck found it more accessible than expected, offering incredible pleasure today and projecting it will continue to show well for another 30+ years.

Decanter also gave it a high score of 98, noting the "bright blue-violet reflections around the rim," which is unusual for 2017. They described it as "majestic and full of Latour signature of menthol, liquorice, slate and earth," needing at least a decade to soften its Pauillac tannins.

James Suckling provided the highest score of 99, highlighting its "ripe and very powerful aromas of black licorice, currants, and violets." He called it "Sexy and gorgeous" with "Round and polished tannins." Suckling recommends trying it after 2028.

Vinous’ Antonio Galloni rated it 96, praising its "super-expressive and inviting" nature, with "tannins that have begun to soften." He commended its "finesse and understatement" and class conveyed through "bright saline notes and lifted floral top notes."

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate gave it 98, describing it as "one of the most elegant, great Latours ever," with "layer upon layer of fresh, crunchy black fruits" and a "vast array of exotic spice and floral nuances."

Jane Anson, also scoring it 98, called it a "seriously pretty Latour," not often associated with this concentrated wine. She highlighted its "sculpted character" and "lyricism," noting its "cassis and bilberry fruit, kissed with rosebud and peony florality."

Overall, the 2017 Chateau Latour is highly acclaimed, with consistent praise for its complexity, elegance, and aging potential.