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Wine Description
The Story
This charming château, embellished by a small tower, is located close to the church in the village of Pomerol. Acquired in 1917 by Mrs. Loubat, the then famous proprietor of PETRUS, the vineyard was owned by her niece, Mrs. Lacoste, for 40 years before she donated it to the Fondation de Foyers de Charité de Châteauneuf de Galaure in 2002.
The vineyard, with an average age of 35 years, is characterised by its soil diversity: rather loamy soil around the château itself and more gravelly and clayey on the best blocks near the church.
Farming the property since 1962, Ets. Jean-Pierre MOUEIX brings the usual care and expertise to the vineyard - entirely replanted after the 1956 frost - and to the cellar. After a gentle fermentation in concrete tanks, the young wine is aged in 33% new oak barrels. Between elegance, power and smoothness, the wines of Château LATOUR show a perfect balance.
Production : approximately 30,000 bottle
Planted acreage : 20 acres
Grape varieties : 90% Merlot - 10% Cabernet Franc
Type of soil : 2/3 gravel with clay - 1/3 clay loam
Vintage 1948
Bordeaux 1948: a fine vintage which had the misfortune of being located between two legendary vintages.
Weather Conditions: The weather conditions in Bordeaux during the 1948 growing season were challenging. The year began with a cold winter, followed by a late spring and a rather wet early summer. These conditions delayed budbreak and flowering, which in turn affected grape ripening. However, the weather improved in late summer, with a warm and dry period that allowed the grapes to ripen more fully. The harvest took place under favorable conditions, salvaging the vintage to some extent.
Bordeaux 1948 Reds: The red wines of Bordeaux from the 1948 vintage vary in quality. The wines typically display a ruby-red to garnet color with signs of aging, such as a brick or amber rim. On the nose, they offer a mix of dried fruits, cedar, tobacco, and earthy notes.
In the mouth, the 1948 Bordeaux reds are characterized by their medium body and soft, often resolved tannins. The acidity levels can vary, but some wines maintain a balanced structure. While the vintage does not consistently deliver the depth and concentration associated with Bordeaux's finest years, there are still well-preserved bottles that provide enjoyable drinking experiences, showcasing mature fruit and tertiary flavors.
Bordeaux 1948 Whites: The white wines of Bordeaux from the 1948 vintage also produced mixed results. These wines typically have a pale to medium gold color with aromas of honey, citrus, and hints of nuttiness. While they may lack the vibrancy and freshness of some other vintages, well-preserved bottles can still exhibit a certain charm and complexity.
Overall Impressions: The Bordeaux 1948 vintage is considered a mixed vintage in terms of quality. It is characterized by challenging weather conditions that impacted grape ripening and resulted in wines of varying degrees of maturity and complexity.
For collectors and connoisseurs, the 1948 Bordeaux wines offer a glimpse into Bordeaux's resilience in the face of adversity. Some bottles have aged gracefully, and those that have been stored well can still provide enjoyable drinking experiences. However, it is important to approach this vintage with realistic expectations, as it may not consistently offer the depth and longevity associated with Bordeaux at its best.