Château LaTour-Martillac - Lacroix-Martillac Pessac-Léognan Rouge 2017

Château LaTour-Martillac — located in the commune of Martillac in Pessac-Léognan — is a Graves Cru Classé. The estate is named after the property’s tower, the remnant of a small, 12th century fort that controlled the route between Bordeaux and Toulouse during the French Revolution. Stone from the ruins of the fort were used to construct the existing château at the end of the 18th century. Viticulture on the property began in the early 19th century, though the wines did not gain notoriety until Edouard Kressman, a German wine trader, became involved in the wine production in 1871. After the death of the estate’s owner, Kressman purchased LaTour-Martillac in 1929, fearing he would lose the wine that generations of his clients had come to love. Today, the property is managed by brothers Tristan and Loïc, the fourth generation of the Kressman family to oversee the estate, which is comprised of 42 hectares of sustainably-farmed vineyards (certified HVE Level 3 in 2020). Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle are grown in soils of clay-limestone cover in gravel composed of quartz, lydian, jasper and flint. Château LaTour-Martillac is one of only six Graves estates that is classified for both red and white wines.

Château Latour-Martillac’s 2017 Lacroix-Martillac Rouge — composed of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon from vines of an average age of 25 years — pours a deep, inky ruby red with a violet rim. Aromas of dark red stone fruit and black berries dance from the glass partnered with hints of graphite, cedar and licorice. The palate is powerful and concentrated offering juicy flavors of black cherry, plum and blackberries evolving into secondary notes of dark chocolate, espresso and spice. Soft, seductive tannins and a subtle, saline minerality carry this wine to a gorgeous finish that displays exquisite length, density and complexity. This is an excellent representation of a perfectly aged Pessac-Léognan. Decant for about thirty minutes. This red is stunning tonight, though it will continue to age gracefully for another 5-10 years with proper cellaring.