2022 Latour Martillac
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Tasting notes
The 2022 La Tour Martillac is a little disjointed on the nose, touches of gravel infusing the red fruit but missing a little cohesion at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannins, slightly bitter, modest length with cracked black pepper on the aftertaste. A bit like the Olivier, I am unsure if this bottle is representative. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.
Critic scores
Average Score
Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2022 Latour Martillac is darker and more somber than during the en primeur tasting, revealing aromas of spices, dark berries and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, round and supple, it's juicy with good depth at the core, an assertive tannic frame and a long, ethereal, delicately spicy finish. This is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot.
Cassis, blackcurrants, smoky tobacco, and scorched earth notes all emerge from the 2022 Château Latour-Martillac, a remarkably pure, medium to full-bodied Pessac-Léognan that has a great mid-palate, pure, polished tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. Based on 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot, it's a brilliant 2022 that should be snatched up by readers.
The 2022 Latour-Martillac is riper and sunnier than its peers on the nose, with brambly red fruit, wild strawberry, raspberry coulis , light allspice and pencil shaving scents emerging over time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grip on the entry. I appreciate the structure and freshness, though the finish is a bit heavy-handed compared to the best wines in the appellation. Still, it may improve with time in bottle; indeed, the second and third bottles felt more nuanced.
About the producer
Owned and managed by the Kressman family, Latour-Martillac is one of the region’s most recognisable estates – with the eponymous tower standing proudly at its entrance. Its 50 hectares of vines produce benchmark Pessac.