Latour a Pomerol, Chateau
Summary
Château Latour à Pomerol is an 8-hectare Moueix family estate on Bordeaux's Right Bank, producing a single Merlot-dominant wine from the clay and gravel soils of the Pomerol plateau. The estate maintains traditional Bordeaux winemaking methods with minimal intervention, focusing on terroir expression through hand-harvesting and 18-month French oak aging under three generations of consistent family oversight.
Heritage & Leadership
Château Latour à Pomerol, situated in the prestigious Pomerol appellation on Bordeaux's Right Bank, has been under the ownership of the Moueix family since 1953. Jean-Pierre Moueix, a significant figure in Bordeaux wine commerce, acquired the estate as part of his strategic expansion of quality properties in the region. The château became an important addition to the Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix portfolio, which includes several notable Right Bank estates.
Following Jean-Pierre's stewardship, his son Christian Moueix assumed responsibility for the property, continuing the family tradition of hands-on management. Today, the estate operates under the direction of Edouard Moueix, representing the third generation of family leadership. The Moueix family maintains direct involvement in the viticultural and winemaking decisions, applying their extensive experience in Pomerol viticulture to this property.
Vineyards & Wines
Château Latour à Pomerol encompasses approximately 8 hectares (20 acres) of vineyards situated on the Pomerol plateau. The estate benefits from its position on this gently elevated terrain, where the vineyards are planted predominantly to Merlot with a smaller proportion of Cabernet Franc. This varietal composition aligns with the traditional planting patterns of the Pomerol appellation.
The property's terroir features a diverse soil structure that includes clay and gravel components. These soil types provide excellent drainage while retaining sufficient moisture during dry periods, creating favorable conditions for Merlot cultivation. The vineyard parcels are meticulously maintained through traditional viticultural practices, with particular attention paid to canopy management and yield control.
The estate produces a single wine, Château Latour à Pomerol, which expresses the distinctive characteristics of its terroir. The wine is composed primarily of Merlot, which thrives in the estate's soil conditions, complemented by Cabernet Franc that adds structural elements and aromatic complexity.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking approach at Château Latour à Pomerol adheres to traditional Bordeaux methods while incorporating modern precision. Following careful hand-harvesting, the grapes undergo temperature-controlled fermentation in concrete and stainless steel vessels. This process allows for gentle extraction of color, tannin, and flavor compounds while preserving the fruit's natural characteristics.
Maturation takes place in French oak barrels, with a portion of new oak used each vintage. The wine typically ages for 18 months before bottling, allowing for gradual integration of oak influences with the fruit components. Throughout this period, the wine is regularly monitored and racked according to its development needs.
The Moueix team applies a consistent philosophy across their properties, focusing on expressing each site's unique terroir through meticulous vineyard work and minimal intervention in the cellar. At Château Latour à Pomerol, this approach translates to wines that reflect the distinctive character of their Pomerol location while maintaining balance and aging potential. The estate's production remains deliberately limited to maintain quality standards, with careful attention to detail at every stage from vineyard to bottle.