Lacroix-Martillac Par Latour-Martillac Pessac-Leognan 2018

Key characteristics:

Lacroix-Martillac Par Latour-Martillac Pessac-Leognan is a distinguished red wine crafted from selected plots of the esteemed Château LaTour-Martillac, a Cru Classé (Classed Growth) in the 1953 Classification of Graves wine. This wine embodies the producer’s dedication to quality yield and traditional viticulture, resulting in a refined and elegant expression of the Pessac-Léognan terroir.

Tasting Notes:

• Variety: 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Appearance: A deep, dense, purple colour.
• Aroma: The nose is intense and aromatic, with fruity (red and black fruits), spicy (liquorice) and slightly smoky notes.
• Taste: The palate is powerful and fresh with wellrounded tannins. Good length on the finish.
• Region: Hailing from Pessac-Léognan in Bordeaux, France, a region with a winemaking history spanning over two millennia. The unique terroir is characterized by exceptional “graves de Bordeaux” soils—a blend of gravel, rolled pebbles, flint, and various stones, enriched with clay and sand, providing excellent natural drainage. This gravelly composition is ideally suited for red grape varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Pairing: It goes well with duck with complex sauce, braised lamb with spices and hard seasoned cheeses.

Overall impression:

This red blend offers a powerful yet fresh palate with well-integrated, rounded tannins, culminating in a satisfyingly long finish. It is a classic representation of Pessac-Léognan, known for its rich texture and spicy undertones.

Extra notes:

• Château LaTour-Martillac, the producer, holds a prestigious Cru Classé status in the 1953 Classification of Graves wines, recognized for both its red and white wines.
• An interesting historical note: the 1934 red vintage of Château LaTour-Martillac was chosen for the coronation banquet of His Majesty King George VI of England in 1936. The estate also maintains High Environmental Value (HEV) Certification.