2004 Chateau Latour-Martillac

Surface of production for red: 40 ha (total surface: 50 ha) Nature of the soil: Gunz gravel from the Quaternary period, on the plateau above the village of Martillac Grape varieties: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon; 40% Merlot; 5% Petit Verdot Pruning: Double Guyot system for Cabernet Sauvignon, Cordon system for Merlot and Petit Verdot Density of planting: 7,200 feet/ha Average age of the vineyard: 25 years Vineyard management: Traditional methods with mechanical ploughing. Sustainable Vine Protection. Green harvesting by hand: desuckering, excess bud removal, leaf thinning, removal of secondary shoots.

The dry and cool winter was followed by warm weather in June, allowing a late but optimal blossoming. This resulted in an abundant crop, despite important green harvest in July. The lack of sunshine during the summer confirmed this delay, which was compensated by an exceptional fine weather in September and October. Warm days and cool nights helped the slow ripening of the grapes. The harvest took place in the best conditions, with the picking of the different grape varieties at the top of their maturity. A beautiful Indian summer allowed us to obtain a great elegance from the Cabernet Sauvignon.

The 2004 vintage offers a deeply coloured and remarkably intense wine. The nose is fruity with smoky accents. In the mouth, a full-bodied wine, where the fruit shines through with great freshness, together with soft and rounded tannins. Blackcurrant fruit as found on the nose. The 2004 vintage is indeed powerful, elegant and well-balanced.