Château Latour-Martillac Pessac-Léognan rouge 2019 - Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

This classified growth is a model of a family-owned estate, with all the Kressmann children displaying an almost filial attachment to their heritage and the estate being managed very soundly. The red wine has gained significantly in tannin finesse and textural elegance. The wines are classic, with an emphasis on fruit, quality tannins, and freshness. Under the guidance of the highly talented and meticulous Valérie Vialard, the white wines are flawless, precise, aromatic, and perfectly lively.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

True to the tradition of the region, this wine proudly displays its character—first through its impressive deep black color, and second through the freshness and complexity of its bouquet, which opens with pure fruitiness that blends perfectly with the oak. The palate is equally compelling: great elegance, full-bodied, very fine tannins, well-integrated oak, and a lingering fruit finish. It will improve with age. 2026–2032

About the estate:

While many of the big names in the Bordeaux wine trade have chosen to set up shop in the Médoc, the Kressmanns opted for the Graves and this estate, acquired in 1930, which owes its name to a tower adorning its courtyard—a remnant of a château built in the 12th century by ancestors of Montesquieu. A beautiful 50-hectare estate renowned as much for its white wines as for its reds.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Cabernet Sauvignon (72%) gives the wine its aromatic finesse and the elegant, slender structure of its body. The decision to increase the proportion of this grape variety—a trend evident since 2014—has proven successful. The palate remains velvety, with a sunny character that rounds out the finish, yet this wine stands out as one of the most vibrant and distinguished of the vintage.

About the estate:

Here is a fine example of a family-owned estate, still in the hands of the Kressmanns, a historic family of Bordeaux wine merchants. Tristan and Loïc Kressmann are now at the helm of this cru classé, which enjoys a superb location on the Martillac plateau. Successive generations have honored the legacy passed down to them, while making steady progress in vineyard management and winemaking under the guidance of their head winemaker, Valérie Vialard. The château inaugurated a new winemaking cellar for red wines with the 2019 vintage. Without succumbing to the allure of passing fads, the wines have retained their elegant and precise style; however, they are gaining in density. This highly compelling balance between tradition and modernity, along with the particularly distinguished character of the latest vintages, leads us to award Latour-Martillac a second star.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Delicate berries, spices, tobacco, and dried rose petals. Full-bodied, with beautifully integrated tannins and a creamy, polished texture. Refined and complex. One of the best young wines ever produced here. Best after 2025.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

I loved the 2019 Château Latour-Martillac, and I had underestimated it while it was still in the barrel. It reveals a dense ruby-plum color and a magnificent bouquet of blackcurrant, black cherry, smoked tobacco, gravelly earth, and chocolate. On the palate, it is full-bodied and rich, with a round, layered texture, supple tannins, and an exceptional finish. It is beautifully crafted and will age well for over 25 years in refrigerated cellars. It needs plenty of air if it is to be drunk soon. 2022–2048

Le Figaro vins

About the wine:

The nose offers aromas of blue berries, with hints of dark chocolate and Indian spices (cardamom and blackcurrant). On the palate, it is smooth and sophisticated, revealing more mineral and vanilla notes, along with a deliciously chalky and crisp texture. A very successful wine.

The Wine Cellar Insider - Jeff Leve

About the wine:

The nose features dried flowers, blackberries, black cherries, tobacco, smoke, and a hint of cocoa. The wine is delicate, refined, elegant, and richly textured, with layers of ripe, sweet, supple, and mature dark red fruits. It offers length, elegance, and purity. It should age well. Best enjoyed between 2025 and 2040.