Chateau La Tour Carnet Les Forts De Latour 2008 (RP91）

Winery Background and Vintage Characteristics

Winery Classification: 1855 Bordeaux Classification, First Growth (Premier Grand Cru Classé). The second wine of Château Latour, located in the Pauillac appellation.

2008 Vintage Characteristics: 2008 was a challenging vintage for Bordeaux, characterized by a dry spring, a cool and rainy summer, but abundant sunshine in the autumn. The grapes achieved moderate ripeness and very high acidity, earning it the reputation of a "classic cool vintage" from many critics. It exhibits a pure, elegant style with excellent long-term aging potential.

Grape Varieties: 66.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33.5% Merlot.

Oak Aging: Aged for 18–20 months in French oak barrels (approximately 40–50% new), imparting elegant layers of vanilla, cedar, and spice.

Tasting Notes

Color: Deep ruby ​​red-purple with garnet sheen.

Aroma:
Extremely complex and layered, the aromas are sweet and fruity, with notes of blackcurrant, blackberry, plum, and redcurrant, interwoven with hints of cedar, pencil shavings, forest floor, tobacco leaves, gravel, spices, chocolate, mocha, roasted nuts, brioche, honey, salted lemon, green apple, olive, roasted pineapple, biscuit, salted caramel, white chocolate, and licorice.

Palate:
Medium to full-bodied on the palate, the sweet flavors of blackcurrant, blackberry, plum, and redcurrant are vibrant and supported by bright acidity. The mid-palate reveals a complex blend of fine, smooth tannins, cedar, pencil shavings, mint, chocolate, spices, and minerality. The wine is elegant and refined, possessing both power and grace.

Finish:

The finish is long and clean, leaving lingering notes of blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar, pencil shavings, chocolate, mineral savory, forest floor, tobacco leaves, gravel, spices, mocha, roasted nuts, brioche, honey, salted lemon, green apple, olive, roasted pineapple, biscuit, salted caramel, white chocolate, and licorice. The overall impression is both sweet and savory, making it a wine with great potential for food pairing.