{"product_id":"2012-les-forts-de-latour-pauillac","title":"2012 Les Forts de Latour Pauillac","description":"\u003cp\u003e92 Wine Advocate - \u003cspan\u003eThis is the first vintage to not be offered En Primeur, meaning this is the first commercial release for this wine. It is composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it opens with expressive notes of crème de cassis, unsmoked cigars, charcuterie and tapenade on the nose with hints of kirsch and fertile loam plus a waft of menthol. Medium to full-bodied, the palate displays great concentration, sporting beautifully ripe, finely grained tannins, wonderful freshness and a long, savory finish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e***\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eThe 2012 Les Forts de Latour is a refined, classically proportioned Pauillac: more about graphite, freshness and precision than sheer power.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is Château Latour’s second wine, although its quality often rivals classified growths. The 2012 blend is \u003cstrong\u003e75% Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/strong\u003e, with the balance principally Merlot and a small amount of Petit Verdot. Les Forts receives the same detailed vineyard and cellar treatment as the Grand Vin, but is sourced from different parcels and matured in approximately 50–60% new oak. \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-latour.com\/en\/a-time-for-sharing\/les-forts-de-latour?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003eChâteau Latour\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCassis, black cherry and restrained red fruit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGraphite, pencil shavings and wet-stone minerality\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCedar, tobacco, black pepper and a subtle minty lift\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMedium to medium-full body\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFine but distinctly structured tannins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA fresh, savory finish with lingering graphite and spice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2012 vintage produced a \u003cstrong\u003elighter, more elegant expression of Latour\u003c\/strong\u003e than powerful years such as 2009, 2010 or 2016. It nevertheless has impressive density for the vintage and unmistakable Pauillac character. Mature notes of leather, cigar box and forest floor should now be beginning to emerge around the remaining cassis fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is drinking well in \u003cstrong\u003e2026\u003c\/strong\u003e, though properly stored bottles should continue developing into the mid-to-late 2030s. \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbr.com\/products-20128012414-2012-les-forts-de-latour-pauillac-bordeaux?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe at \u003cstrong\u003e16–18°C \/ 60–64°F\u003c\/strong\u003e. Stand the bottle upright beforehand and decant for roughly \u003cstrong\u003e60–90 minutes\u003c\/strong\u003e, shortening that if the bouquet is already expressive. Pair it with roast lamb, ribeye, duck, braised beef, mushrooms or aged hard cheese.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"TWINS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50421679751474,"sku":"50000000007858","price":300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0044\/7165\/2425\/files\/LesFortsdeLatourPauillac.png?v=1758072643","url":"https:\/\/www.vintagewinemerchants.com\/products\/2012-les-forts-de-latour-pauillac","provider":"Vintage Wine Merchants","version":"1.0","type":"link"}