Château Latour-Martillac

Identity

Château Latour-Martillac is located in Martillac. The estate is classified as a Cru Classé de Graves for both its red and white wines. Tristan and Loïc Kressmann are the owners. The estate is also managed by Wilfrid Groizard. Léa Viguier is the cellar master and Denis Wendling is the vineyard manager.

History and Philosophy

The name Château Latour-Martillac is believed to come from a tower adorning the main courtyard, the remnant of a 12th-century fort built by the ancestors of Montesquieu. In 1871, Edouard Kressmann, a Bordeaux négociant, began distributing the estate's wines. Alfred Kressmann, his son, acquired the property in 1929 or 1930. Jean Kressmann, Alfred's second son, managed the estate from 1940 and inherited it in 1955. The current label, striped in gold and sable (black), was created in 1934 by Jean Kressmann. Château Latour-Martillac was classified as a Cru Classé de Graves in 1953. In 1989, the cellars underwent extensive renovation. The estate holds HVE certification.

Appellations

The wines of Château Latour-Martillac are produced under the Pessac-Léognan appellation.

Winemaking and Ageing

The white wines are vinified with traditional pressing of the grape bunches and cold settling of the musts. Fermentation takes place in oak barrels (one-third new each year). Ageing is carried out on the lees for more than a year before bottling in dark glass.

The red wines are aged for 18 to 20 months in oak barrels, one-third of which are renewed annually.

Practical Information

Château Latour-Martillac is located at 8 Chemin La Tour, 33650 Martillac. The estate can be reached by telephone on +33 (0)5 57 97 71 11 and by email at chateau@latourmartillac.com.

The boutique is open Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:00. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Tours of the château and wine tastings are available by appointment, Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 17:00. Booking is required for all visits. The estate is wheelchair accessible. Languages spoken are German, English, Spanish, and French. Direct sales at the estate and mail-order purchases are available.

Learn More

Official website of the estate

The Vineyard (Terroir)

The vineyard covers a total area of 54 hectares. The soils are composed of gravel with Pyrenean strata, undulating knolls of gravel, sand, and clay. On certain parcels, the soils feature small Tertiary gravels topped with clay and sand.

For the red grape varieties, the vineyard is planted with 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. For the white grape varieties, it comprises 60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Sémillon. The average vine age is 35 years, with some white wine parcels dating back as far as 1884 and 1928. Planting density ranges between 7,200 and 8,500 vines per hectare. The harvest is carried out entirely by hand.

Flagship Cuvées

The estate produces a grand vin red, Château Latour-Martillac, and a grand vin white, Château Latour-Martillac blanc. The second wine, named Lagrave-Martillac, is crafted in both red and white versions.

The white wines are characterised by whole-bunch pressing, cold settling of the musts, and fermentation in oak barrels (one-third renewed each year). Ageing continues on the fine lees for over a year before bottling.

The red wines benefit from oak barrel ageing (one-third renewed each year) for a period of 18 to 20 months.