Photo courtesy of Latour-Martillac

96pt $40 2019 Bordeaux!
The Latour of Pessac

In Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan is surging. Surging very strong. The caliber of the region has skyrocketed and we have been highlighting the vast improvements and tremendous quality from noted producers such as Domaine de Chevalier, Pape-Clement, and Les Carmes Haut-Brion. 

The 2019 vintage clearly highlights that the success of the region is not just in some of the biggest names nor only the quality of the overall vintage. The 2019 vintage is, of course, a fantastic vintage for Pessac-Leognan but it is also that vintage that solidifies the quality at two of the region’s stalwarts and are firmly amongst the top estates of the region. Latour-Martillac and Malartic-Lagraviere are classic, historic properties that have been loved for over 50 years for their affordability and reliability. 

Today, Latour-Martillac and Malartric-Lagraviere are still two of the most affordable wines of Bordeaux but these two properties have had a very dramatic uptick in the past ten to twenty years. These are wines of the highest quality, of the moment and Bordeaux that is poised to be enjoyable now and in the future. The rustic and firm edges that once marked these wines have been polished and refined. The structure and tannic backbone of the wines still persist and will continue to allow these wines to have 25+ years of longevity, but it is the tannin management and fruit intensity that has been extremely well incorporated in these wines that makes them so alluring and enjoyable now. These stalwarts have caught up with the biggest names of the region including Haut-Brion in harnessing the beauty and longevity of Pessac-Leognan while making wines that are absolutely gorgeous and timeless.

Cheers,
Jeremy