96
Jeb Dunnuck Tasting Note
A blockbuster of a Les Forts, the 2020 Les Forts de Latour is based on 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26.5% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and aged 18 months in 60% new French oak. Its deep ruby/plum hue is followed by textbook Latour notes of currants, melted crayon, graphite, and lead pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, dense, and concentrated on the palate, it has a powerful, structured mouthfeel, remarkable purity, perfectly ripe tannins, and a great, great finish. It might be the finest Les Forts I've tasted. Hitting 13.1% alcohol, it's approachable today yet has another 30 years of longevity. Drink 2026-2056.
96
Vinous Tasting Note
The 2020 Les Forts de Latour is much more contained and focused compared directly with the Pauillac de Latour, extraordinarily pure with blackberry, raspberry, cedar and violet scents, again, a touch of liquorice in the background. The palate is medium-bodied. Very fine tannins frame the silky black and blueberry fruit that merges into classic cedar and graphite notes towards the finish. Awesome.
Deuxième
only in name.
97
James Suckling Tasting Note
Already nicely open at this stage, with a ripe cedar quality to the cassis fruit. Some discreet notes of tobacco leaves, ash, black licorice and graphite. Lots of dusty tannins surround the palate, giving a dense but caressing sensation. Structured, polished and generous, but extremely well-formed. Really long, concentrated and layered. A blend of 70% cabernet sauvignon, 26.5% merlot and 3.5% petit verdot. Drink from 2026.
94
Wine Advocate Tasting Note
The 2020 Les Forts de Latour is composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26.5% Merlot and 3.5% Petit Verdot, incorporating a 64-hectoliter tank of Merlot that would normally have been included in the Grand Vin but which didn't fit with this year's blend. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of minty cassis, plums, licorice, pipe tobacco and vanilla pod, it's medium to full-bodied, rich and velvety, with terrific depth at the core and a somewhat more textural, granular profile than the suave 2019.