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| | Vintage | 2005 |  Label 1 of 542 
 | | Type | Red | | Producer | Château Latour-Martillac | | Variety | Red Bordeaux Blend | | Designation | n/a | | Vineyard | n/a | | Country | France | | Region | Bordeaux | | SubRegion | Graves | | Appellation | Pessac-Léognan | | UPC Code(s) | 3258690046984, 3258691274188, 3258691274201, 3412950588922, 3453521141702, 3453521148152, 3468178671052, 3508691111403, 3508691115401, 3612170010665, 3700188021466, 3700188028854, 3700188035241 |
| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 89.3 pts. and median of 89 pts. in 98 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by TS on 3/3/2024 & rated 89 points: A bit diappointing. Not developing as positively as i hoped. (320 views) | | | Tasted by Chrysostomus on 5/3/2023 & rated 93 points: Perfect spot between primary and tertiary aromas. Black/red color, very dense. Black fruits on the nose, very fresh, pepper, star anis. On the palate there is also a fresh, dark expression with tension and grippy, but very fine tannins. A "structure" wine which seems to be in a phase of loosing its fruit, but not in a bad way. Perfect structure, very balanced and fresh. Could effortless last for another 10+ years but is easy to drink now. Very good... (1114 views) | | | Tasted by RolandFranz on 4/24/2023 & rated 90 points: Robe rouge intense à peine marquée par l’âge. Le nez est fin sur la mûre, une touche de cacao et de cèdre, légèrement vanillé. En bouche on trouve un Pessac dans une version assez intense, musclée, poivrée et fruitée, mais toujours en finesse. Assez chaleureux quand même. La finale est assez linéaire et longue dans un style épuré et salivant. (961 views) | | | Tasted by Eudemis on 11/28/2022: 13% alcohol. CS 65%, M 32%, PV 3%. Very good cork with no wine penetration. Decanted a short hour ahead. The colour is dark and impenetrable with very limited thinning at the edge of the rim.
The nose is very appealing with fresh fruit (mostly blackcurrant) mingling with inky flavours, all in a sightly subdued mode. In the mouth, the feel is of an even less evolved wine with lots of energy, good fruit and good grip; the tannins are beginning to resolve, and the overall feel is smooth and classy.
This is already very enjoyable, but my feeling is that the best is yet to come.
Compared with the SHL 02 that I had yesterday, the contrast could not be higher. The LM shows much fewer traces of oak and much less evolution (taking into account the 3 year age gap). In a line up, the contrast would be nearly unbearable, and one or the other would come across as the clear winner, but in fact I like them both and isn't it great that we can enjoy the variety of styles still available from Bordeaux?
High potential here.
PS: finishing the bottle the next day, the oak comes across more prominently without actually compromising the overall balance. Not the first time that I find the perception of oak to depend on the circumstances. (1356 views) | | | Tasted by TS on 9/23/2022 & rated 91 points: Nice, but I would have expected more of a 2005. Still course tannins I do not believe will soften much in the future (90).
SEcond day after using vacuum pump and 2 hour decanting; slightly better, which is promising for extended cellaring. (1414 views) | | | Tasted by eljocco on 7/17/2022 & rated 94 points: Riktigt bra nu och kul att se utvecklingen från den primör som detta inhandlades som för 16 år sedan. Denna flaska inmundigades vid vår 11e bröllopsdag till en zabuton med smör på vitlök och soltorkade tomater.
Vinet kommer att hålla ytterligare några år men balansen finns där på ett mycket bra sätt nu och dricker resterande flaskor inom 2 år. (1491 views) | | | Tasted by kfrench150 on 4/10/2022 & rated 92 points: Pristine cork. Lots of chunky sediment in the bottle but no smoke. Pure black cherry heart with a ruby rim. Initially the nose is quite subdued and requires coaxing to reveal black currant, blue plum, blackberries, slate, graphite, lots of char and even some iodine. Very nicely mature, layered and dark on the nose. Tart and crunchy black and purple berries, chalky tannins, graphite, oak, iron and even a touch of licorice on the palate. Piercingly dry to start. Medium-full bodied. Well balanced from front to back overall. Fills out over time. Becomes fleshier and feels less dry. Finishes with those same tangy black fruits and with mouth watering acidity. Classic old school Bordeaux! Built to last and to pair with red meat. Not a sipper, thats for certain! Was perfect with BBQ rack of lamb! Started out as a bit austere 90 but ended up very pleasant 92. (1353 views) | | | Tasted by Eudemis on 11/22/2021: 13% alcohol. The cork breaks up at the extraction stage, but this is probably due to the short screw (my mistake for choosing this particular tool). Fairly dark hue all the way to the rim.
The nose is superb with dark fruit, some leather and a very subtle raisiny component. Equally good in the mouth with a perfect balance between grip, fruit, liveliness and poise. No direct oak in evidence, and the tannins are there only as a pleasant memory.
So much better than the Brane-Cantenac 2002 that I had yesterday !
Fine to drink now but with potential to improve over the next five years, and then last another ten.
Over the years, I have tended to see this property as playing second fiddle to Malartic-L, but frankly this wine is worthy of top billing. (1824 views) | | | Tasted by TS on 10/31/2021 & rated 91 points: Drank over to days. Just ok first day. Second day much better. Keep. (1512 views) | | | Tasted by tailorvino on 10/19/2021 & rated 92 points: Classic left-bank style Bordeaux and great value; mix of red and black fruits, leather, iodine, meaty, soft tannins. In a good drinking window now. @finewine.explorer (1525 views) | | | Tasted by vinero on 8/21/2021 & rated 92 points: We drank this one over 2 days. Best on day 2, so in need of a decant, and wonderfull with food (omelet in our case). Standalone less good, still a bit tight and tannic. (1515 views) | | | Tasted by bjurry on 7/17/2021 & rated 81 points: Dark fruits, sun burned, prunes, tannins melted. Not very complex. Drink now. (1505 views) | | | Tasted by Eudemis on 2/7/2021: 13% alcohol. CS 65%, M 32% PV 3%. Pretty good longish cork with no wine penetration. Decanted an hour ahead. The colour is deep with very little sign of ageing.
The nose shows dark fruit, a fair dose of harmonious oak and definite (if fleeting) smoky aromas; vg complexity here. The mouth is vigorous, due in no small part to healthy balancing acidity; good grip too, although the tannins are resolved. There is a good mixture of fruit and tertiary flavours, including tobacco and that smokiness again; if I have a criticism it is that the alcohol protrudes slightly at times (that's Merlot for you...).
Still a very satisfying Pessac, with a good deal of class, and perfect with lamb (no surprise there).
This wine used to be pretty cheap, being regarded by most (myself included) as the underdog to Malartic-Lagravière, but prices have begun to increase significantly, probably justifiably.
Plenty of life ahead. (1591 views) | | | Tasted by Eudemis on 10/11/2020: 13% alcohol. CS 65%, M 32%, PV 3%. Very good cork, just above average in length. Decanted an hour ahead. Deep colour without noticeable fading at the edge of the rim.
The nose is rich with ripe (not over-ripe) dark berries. The mouth is deeply satisfying with excellent depth and plenty of zip; certainly there is oak here, and it lends a measure of opulence to the experience, but is well judged and does not intrude directly. Whatever tannins are left are of the soft variety, and they lend grip to the wine.
As good a Bordeaux as one can drink without spending silly money; just glorious and way above its status. (1585 views) | | | Tasted by David Meddings on 9/18/2020 & rated 89 points: Dark garnet. Plum bouquet with spice. Medium bodied, good complexity, fully resolved tannins and medium final. (1663 views) | | | Tasted by socidelvino on 4/25/2020 & rated 87 points: Opened and tasted. Quite flat. Decanted for 1 hour.
Eye: deep purple. Nose: berries, smoke, slight vanilla. Palate: tannins still evident, more open than sip after opening, fruitbbsry subtle, elegant and medium to long finish. Holding up well. Out under vacuum overnight and tried again the next day and opened up slightly further with more notes of cassis. (1863 views) | | | Tasted by Re-nez on 4/11/2020 & rated 94 points: Étonnant car astringence assez soutenue!
Belle couleur orangée et très belle longueur ! (1674 views) | | | Tasted by Eudemis on 3/23/2020: 13.5% alcohol. CS 65%, M 32%, PV 3%.Very good cork, slightly above average in length and pretty dense; minimal wine penetration. I have always liked the general look of the label, but on closer inspection, is that an anaemic lion holding a sword in its teeth ? Pretty quaint.
Deep colour with no sign of ageing.
Lively nose with dark berries, dark cherries, tobacco and just a hint of vanilla. The mouth is equally good with plenty of energy and freshness; some unresolved tannins in the aftertaste do not compromise the experience. Harmonious in a light non-opulent style.
A superb Bordeaux of the lively variety with a long life ahead. When I bought this wine the red was much cheaper than the white, and I think that the price differential is still there.
A repeat purchase in principle, but my days of buying Bordeaux are drawing to a close. (1603 views) | | | Tasted by Mad Dog Mikey on 1/17/2020 & rated 91 points: Perhaps the 2005's are coming around? A clear improvement from two previous encounters with the Latour-Martillac 2005. (1116 views) | | | Tasted by Eudemis on 12/9/2019: 13% alcohol. CS 65%, M 32%, PV 3%. Very good cork, not that long but dense and showing no wine penetration at all. Decanted an hour ahead. Dark colour with some thinning and a suggestion of browning at the very edge of the rim.
The nose is rich and satisfying, marrying ripe dark berries with the harmonious remnants of élevage, including some very restrained vanilla. The mouth is nearly as good, maybe slightly stricter and marginally less full than what the nose would lead you to expect. Very good no matter what, in a style that reminds me of Léoville-Barton. Very good grip and plenty of fruit, but no opulence here. Superbly juicy and excellent value; a suggestion of mint in the finish adds to the sensation of freshness.
Will improve further with another five years in bottle, I feel, and then last another fifteen years.
Left bank Bordeaux is such a joy when it is on song. (1689 views) | | | Tasted by Xavier Auerbach on 10/26/2019 & rated 89 points: Académie des Cinquante 64th Annual Dinner (Sofitel The Grand, Amsterdam, NL): Mature but lively appearance. Lovely ripe fruit on the nose and gravelly terroir expression, nice freshness and medium body on the palate, traditional style, sticky tannins and unfortunately a hint of greenness, light and drying finish. (2437 views) | | | Tasted by Collector1855 on 6/4/2019 & rated 94 points: During a Pessac-Leognan themed dinner. The cheapest wine in the line up but it held its own. Expressive nose of dark fruit, forest floor, pine. Medium bodied, structured without being rustic. The dinner confirmed the aromatic power of the Pessac Leognan appellation, lots of characterful wines here. Decanting advised for this wine. (2505 views) | | | Tasted by Eudemis on 5/14/2019: 13% alcohol. Good dense cork of average length, with virtually no wine penetration. Lovely smell off the cork. Decanted an hour ahead.
The colour is dark, with barely a sign of thinning at the edge of the rim. Very good fruity nose of ripe blackcurrant; no oak in evidence. The mouth has plenty of energy, with a pleasant juicy character. Some residual tannins in the finish. This bottle is a bit too young to display complete harmony, but it will get there in a few years. Very pleasant now for those who can cope with some bite in their Bordeaux. (1733 views) | | | Tasted by TS on 4/20/2019 & rated 90 points: Decent Pessac, but not extraodinary. A bit disappointing to be a 2005. Still tannic, no rush to drink, but will it be better with time? (1672 views) | | | Tasted by Baltazar on 12/28/2018 & rated 89 points: Somewhat restrained on the nose and framed by noticeable tannin, this bottle indicates that the wine needs more time to fully blossom. Another bottle a few years ago was more approachable, so I was a bit surprised. What was there was fine, but had expected more punch. Nice tones of warm bricks, cedar wood and graphite, as well as some black currants. Round and supple. Should get better. (1697 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, 2005 Bordeaux: Here and Now (Apr 2021) (4/1/2021)
(Latour-Martillac Latour-Martillac Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (2/23/2017)
(Ch Latour-Martillac Pessac-Léognan Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Chris Kissack
Winedoctor, November 2009
(Chateau Latour-Martillac Pessac-Léognan) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (2/18/2009)
(Ch Latour-Martillac Pessac-Léognan Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Julia Harding, MW
JancisRobinson.com (7/15/2008)
(Ch Latour-Martillac Pessac-Léognan Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, Jan/Feb 2008, Issue #13, The 2005 Bordeaux Vintage: A Snapshot of a Few Communes
(Château Latour-Martillac) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Julia Harding, MW
JancisRobinson.com (12/6/2007)
(Ch Latour-Martillac Pessac-Léognan Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Chris Kissack
Winedoctor, October 2007
(Chateau Latour-Martillac Pessac-Léognan) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (8/10/2007)
(Ch Latour-Martillac Pessac-Léognan Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (8/10/2007)
(Ch Latour-Martillac Pessac-Léognan Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, May/June 2006, IWC Issue #126
(Chateau Latour Martillac Pessac Leognan) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (4/14/2006)
(Ch Latour-Martillac Pessac-Léognan Red) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and JancisRobinson.com and Winedoctor and View From the Cellar. (manage subscription channels) |
| Red Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.France Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)
Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings
2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.comBordeaux Bordeaux Wine Guide
Vins Bordeaux (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux)
History of Bordeaux
History of 1855 Bordeaux Classification
"2009 is all about ripeness, with wines impressively packed with ripe fruit and high alcohol levels. They are showy, in-your-face, and full of pleasure. The 2010s have the fruit and alcohol levels of the 2009s, but with a compelling freshness on the finish that balances the fruit and provides a perfect sense of structure." - Ben Nelson
"2016 is a landmark vintage in certain spots of Bordeaux and it should be remembered as one of the most inspired campaigns of the last 40-50+ years." -Jon Rimmerman
"The quality of red Bordeaux in 2016 was universally lauded – although the response to the en primeur campaign was muted. Quantity was high too, with the equivalent of 770 million bottles of wine produced. An exceptionally dry summer with cool nights eventually, thanks to mid September rain, resulted in small, thick-skinned, ripe grapes, and the wines are marked by high tannin and acidity, with superb aromatic fragrance." - Jancis Robinson
"2017 was complicated, but there are some excellent wines. Expect plenty of freshness and drinkability from wines that will offer excellent value, and others that will rival 2016 in terms of ripeness and ageability. But they are likely to be the exception not the rule, making careful selection key." - Jane Anson
"In the past, a vintage such as 2022 may have been overripe, raisined and low in acidity but 2022 had a sneaky little reservoir in its back pocket - a near perfect marriage of cool/cold/rain the previous winter and the previous vintage that literally soaked the soils (a key to why 2022 is not 2003...or 1893)." - Jon RimmermanGraves Vins de Graves (Conseil des Vins de Graves) - Read more about Pessac Leogan Graves and its winesPessac-Léognan Pessac-Leognan reds:
Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Soil: Predominantly gravel and sandy rock, with varying proportions of clay and sandstone
Surface Area: 1,491 ha
Pessac-Leognan whites:
Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Soil: Gravel and rocks covered with sand, sandstone, and clay
Surface Area: 275 ha |
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