A Dream in Burgundy: Tasting Louis Latour’s Legacy
Maison Louis Latour
Louis Latour is a name that I was introduced to from the very beginning of my wine journey twenty years ago - a name synonymous with the fine wines of Burgundy. Even their “every day” wines that I had first encountered were known to possess exceptional quality and value that immediately won me over, along with countless other admiring wine consumers. Their wines are a looking glass for everyone from the curious newbies to wine experts to peer into the fascinating and beautiful wine world of Bourgogne, France.
As my career in wine continued, I was afforded the opportunity to taste more and more from this wonderous world of Maison Louis Latour and I became even more enamoured with the magic of these wines and the story each bottle holds. (I even acquired a Louis Latour keychain that’s remained on my keys for 15 years!) So, when I was recently invited to a presentation and tasting hosted by Florent Latour, CEO of Louis Latour, I jumped at the chance for what I knew would be a once in a lifetime experience. Even with all of my excitement brewing, I was still completely naive to the fact that I would encounter one of my most memorable wine moments to date.
Florent Latour, CEO of Louis Latour presenting to wine media. Photo by Valerie Azinge.
The Legacy of Louis Latour: Tradition, Innovation, and Excellence
A Winery Seeped in Tradition
The family-owned Louis Latour winery was established in 1797. For two centuries the Latour family has been crafting wines in the heart of Burgundy from the most acclaimed vineyards in the region, almost half of which are the Domaine’s Grand Crus. Tradition has been implemented in the house’s success from day one, carrying its’ heritage of the family and the wines. Even some of Latour’s labels that were created at the beginning of the 20th century are still used today.
Currently, as the family’s 11th generation, Florent Latour holds the CEO title of Maison Latour. His niece, Eléonore Latour is in her second year of training at the winery to eventually take over as the 12th generation Latour CEO and the winery’s first female to take the leadership role.
Innovation and a Greater Burgundy
The goals for the development of Greater Burgundy are deeply embedded in Maison Louis Latour’s production. Some of these particular initiatives include a two-decade long sustainability certification for their agricultural practices, and broadening their vineyard reach across the region.
In 2003, Maison Louis Latour extended their reach northwards with the purchase of Maison Simonnet-Febvre, a winery that was founded in 1840 in Chablis, and remains the only winery in the region to produce Cremant de Bourgogne.
Moving further south in 2010, Latour acquired vineyards of “Les Pierres Dorées” in Beaujolais and planted Pinot Noir, rounding out their scope within Bourgogne.
Excellence at Maison Latour
The echo of excellence from Maison Latour has been one that’s been reverberated through the wine world several times over. They heavily invest in the expertise of the winery team and claim it as the backbone of their quality. “We make several tiny decisions each week since we have the knowledge to see a parcel to parcel difference (within the vineyards),” says Latour.
The estate also maintains an onsite cooperage to craft every barrel used for their wines with tedious care, seasoning each stave over a slow 36 month process.
“There’s a difference between common wine and fine wine. Fine wine is defined not solely by the climat, a combination of soil and weather, it’s mostly about the winemaker.”
Tasting Louis Latour
The Tasting
Louis Latour Bourgogne Aligoté 2022
Louis Latour Puligny-Montrachet 2022
Domaine Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2022
Maison Louis Latour Volnay 1er Cru ‘En Chevrets’ 2022
Maison Louis Latour Gevrey-Chambertin 2022
Domaine Louis Latour Chateau Corton Grancey Grand Cru 2022
Domaine Louis Latour Chateau Corton Grancey Grand Cru 2016
The Holy Grail of Pinot Noir
Each wine that I tasted from the lineup was of exceptional quality. Each with a distinct sense of terroir, providing a delicate concentration and elegance balancing minerality and flavour. The two standouts for me were the Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2022 and the Chateau Corton Grancey Grand Cru 2022, admittedly with the later moving me to tears. Never in my life, in two decades of tasting, have I come across a wine so captivatingly exquisite. Beautiful. A unicorn wine. To me - the Holy Grail of Pinot Noir.
Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2022
This Chardonnay is derived from 30 year old vines on the south-east slopes of Latour’s Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru vineyards. The wine sees an 8-10 month treatment in medium-toasted French oak by the Latour’s in-house cooperage.
A rich, creamy wine that offers pure Chardonnay luxury on a bed of mineral design. A silky elegance carries sweet oak alongside delicate notes of pineapple and caramel through to a persistent finish. 96 points
Chateau Corton Grancey Grand Cru 2022
This Pinot Noir that is only made in the best of vintages is a culmination of five cherished sites of Domaine Latour Corton Grand Cru: Bressandes, Perrieres, Greves, Clos du Roi, and Chaumes. The wine is developed by a 10 to 12 month aging in French oak crafted by the in-house Latour cooperage.
An introduction of cloves and baking spice prelude enticing red plum and red apple aromas. The palate presents an elegant dance of fresh red fruit, earth and spice together with an awe-inspiring structural precision. Graceful, with the perfect amount of tension and a forever finish. The Holy Grail of Pinot Noir. 100 points
Created in partnership with Mark Anthony Wines and Spirits.