1994 Château Latour Grand Vin

Château Latour is legendary for its power and longevity. The 1994 vintage is a fascinating outlier in Latour's history because it contains an atypically high amount of Merlot (27%), which was the highest percentage ever used by the estate at that time. This was a strategic choice by the winemakers to counteract the tough weather conditions of the year, resulting in a wine that is surprisingly "fleshy" and "sweet" for such a structured producer.

Highlights

• Vintage: 1994

• Region/Appellation: Pauillac AOC, Left Bank, Bordeaux, France

• Producer: Château Latour (Premier Grand Cru Classé)

• Grape: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot.

• Style: Powerful, structured, and earthy. It is a traditional "Vin de Garde" (wine for aging) that showcases the incredible grit and precision of the Pauillac terroir.

• Perfect for: Slow-braised beef, roast lamb with rosemary, or game meats like venison. Its earthy, walnut-driven profile also makes it a spectacular partner for truffle-based dishes or aged hard cheeses.

Collector's Tip: Latour 1994 is currently in its prime drinking window (best enjoyed through 2035). Because it is a powerful wine from a rainier vintage, it benefits from a decant of 45–60 minutes to allow the "dusty" tannins and secondary forest-floor notes to fully open up.