Latour-à-Pomerol 1950

When the 1950s rolled around, vineyards and their production equipment were still in poor condition. The economy was faltering and ageing grapevines were decreasing vineyard productivity. Considerably higher prices were paid on the world market for top wines from Mosel and Rheingau as well as Burgundy, thus giving an idea as to the esteem in which Bordeaux wines were held. The demand for Bordeauxs had bottomed out. The greatest demand for them was in England, with the American market opening toward the end of the decade. In order to find a solution to the situation, producers and merchants established the La Commanderie de Bordeaux, which was founded in 1952. Its objective was to market the region’s wines through a network of affiliate organisations spanning the globe. However, the process of change took a long time, and the decade went down in history as a difficult one. From a consumer’s standpoint, the 1950s are remembered as a decade when Bordeaux wines could still be had at affordable prices. Even today, the best vintages offer an excellent price-quality ratio.
Although the decade got off to a modest start in terms of crop years, the early 1950s saw some outstanding vintages.
Due to weather conditions and ageing vines, Bordeaux produced fine, concentrated wines in 1952, 1953 and 1955. 1955 was an historic year, as it marked the beginning of a new era for Bordeaux. The reason for this paradigm shift was the shock delivered by a -20°C cold snap in Bordeaux in February of 1956 which killed off a wide swath of vines. Saint-Émilion and Pomerol were hit hardest. Areas least affected by the killing frost still had to deal with a delayed growing season and a cold, rainy summer. Any hopes of having even a mediocre year were lost.
The replanted vines produced their first crop in 1959, which turned out to be an excellent year. The vintage was even proclaimed to be Bordeaux's best vintage of the century. Despite the fact that 1956, 1957 and 1958 were lean wine years, the devaluation of the French franc increased the demand for Bordeaux wine toward the end of the decade. One of the more significant events of the 1950s involved the investments made by Jean-Pierre Mouiex in Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, which increased interest in the region, particularly where Pomerol was concerned. Mouiex acquired Trotanoy and La Fleur-Pétrus in 1953, Lagrange in 1954 and Madelaine in 1959.

Upon closer examination of the decade, attention must also be drawn to the 1950 vintage, which offered quantity more than quality - indeed, with welcome exceptions. Due to the relatively rainy summer, expectations for the year were not very high, but the change in weather by the end of the year made it a good one, and in some areas even excellent. The wines lacked the ample and balanced character of the previous year. They were instead noted for their highly tannic quality. But the wines have matured with surprising grace. Many of the wines have become more harmonious as the tannins have faded. Two vintage gems are the Cheval Blanc and Pétrus. On the other hand, the Graves La-Mission-Haut-Brion is an outstanding wine. Although the finest wines are at the peak of their drinkability right now, they will remain there for years to come. Due to the large crop and the very modest reputation of the vintage, these wines can be found at very affordable prices.



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

Appellation : Pomerol
Owner : F.F.C. Donation Mme L. P. Lacoste-Loubat
Planted acreage : 20 acres
Grape varieties : 90% Merlot - 10% Cabernet Franc
Type of soil : 2/3 gravel with clay - 1/3 clay loam