【Pessac Leognan】
As a statutory sub-region of Bordeaux, Pessac Leognan should be considered the youngest. It has only been 30 years since it became an independent production area in 1987, but this youngest production area is enough to stand out from the rest. The Pessac-Leognan wine region originally belonged to two wine villages under the Graves wine region: Pessac and Leognan. As early as 1855, when Bordeaux was classified as a Grand Cru, three of the four First Growths were in the Medoc. The only one that was not in the Medoc was Haut-Biron (also known as Haut-Biron). Chateau Haut-Brion is located in Pessac Wine Village.
Pessac-Léognan once belonged to the Graves production area, so their soil quality is very similar, a mixture of clay and gravel. The terrain is relatively flat and the climate is relatively warm. The soil has good drainage and is suitable for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. Graves is very close to the Pessac-Léognan region, but the Pessac-Léognan region is separated from the Medoc by a Bordeaux city.
James Suckling 94
This is very perfumed with blackberry and blueberry aromas, but shows a hot-stone and blanched-almond undertone. Medium-to full-bodied with tight and silky tannins that are extremely polished and beautiful. Love the length and balance to this.
Wine Advocate 92-94
The 2016 Latour-Martillac has an understated nose at first, but it unfurls and becomes quite a seductive Pessac-Léognan with ample blackberry and raspberry fruit, and a subtle hint of black olive. I admire the precision here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, supple tannin overlaid by blackberry and bilberry fruit, sea salt and black pepper. Showing excellent focus and abundant freshness on the finish, this is an assured and sophisticated Latour-Martillac that will give many years of pleasure.
Wine Enthusiast 93
A structured wine backed by plenty of black-currant fruits, this is initially austere. Its richness needs time to develop and turn into the classically structured wine that this estate does so well.
Vinous 92
The 2016 Latour-Martillac has come together very nicely during its aging. Black cherry, plum,leather, licorice, spice and chocolate give the 2016 much of its racy, extroverted feel. Deep,dark and quite powerful, the 2016 is showing beautifully today. The oak could use a bit moretime to fully come together, but that is a relatively small critique for a wine that delivers somuch pleasure.
Decanter 92
This has a fairly high aromatic profile, with a lovely density of brambled blackberry and cassis that's deepened with time in the bottle. There’s a touch of austerity through the mid-palate and the acidity is relatively high, but there's fruit and tannin to back it up. It will age extremely well. Impressive.
Jeb Dunnuck 91
The 2016 Château Latour-Martillac is also terrific and has a structured, medium-bodied, firm style that’s going to benefit from cellaring. Blackberries, graphite, new leather, and a kiss of tobacco all emerge from this nicely textured, pure, layered Pessac. Give bottles 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades.
Wine Spectator 90
Solid, with a juicy yet restrained core of dark currant and blackberry compote flavors that should unwind nicely with modest cellaring thanks to nicely embedded brambly grip and dried tobacco leaf, anise and tar notes that run through the gutsy finish.
