Louis Latour’s Multi Generational Wine Business Celebrates Burgundy
By: Paul Caputo / August 31, 2024
There is something fascinating about a business that has operated independently for more than 200 years. Founded in 1797, the Latour family has built, expanded, and preserved its legacy across 12 generations. Having accumulated prestigious vineyards throughout Burgundy, and crafted long standing relationships with growers, Maison Latour, based in the village of Aloxe-Corton, now represents one of the most visible and accessible references in this complex region.
The driving force behind the Latour empire is a large negocient operation that facilitates the release of over 150 wines each year, providing without doubt, one of the best single company windows onto Burgundy you can find. From the chalky soils of Chablis, extending south through the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, to the much warmer granite slopes of Beaujolais, the company prides itself on a portfolio that showcases regional, village and single vineyard terroir. For many consumers approaching Burgundy for the first time, Latour’s wines are a comprehensive introduction.
The latest releases, a stable of village and Premier Cru wines, rouse plenty of enthusiasm in director Florent Latour. “We’re extremely excited about this vintage. We’ve got both volume and quality, which is a welcome relief after some tough vintages”. The whites are typically well-structured and offer good balance between acidity and concentration. Favorites include the fresh, approachable Pouilly-Fuissé ($39.99) and the fuller, richer Meursault ($115). The reds, from communes such as Marsannay ($39.99), Pommard ($85) and Volnay ($95) are elegant, with plenty of ripe fruit and spice.
Across the board the Latours were pleased with 2022. “It was a lovely surprise. We had a hot, dry summer but it went cooler towards the end of August, allowing us to achieve that typical Burgundian balance.” Although there was concern during the intense summer heat, conditions played out positively in the end. With so many wines to oversee, that picture is far too simplistic; but, it is in the more challenging years that the strength of the Latour network shows.
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