Latour-Giraud

An Atherton Wine Imports Direct Domaine

The known origin of this domaine dates back to the French Revolution and the original holdings of the Latour family. In 1958 Pierre Latour married the only daughter of Charles Giraud, thus uniting the two family domaines. Pierre’s son, Jean-Pierre, has been managing the domaine since 1993 and is assisted by his sister Florence.

The vines are now cultivated organically and Jean-Pierre favors a strict de-budding (ébourgeonnage) in the spring over a green harvest. Harvest is on the early side to ensure freshness and to avoid any sur-maturité in the wines.

After a gentle pressing of whole clusters, fermentation is initiated in stainless steel vats using indigenous yeasts and once it is underway, the must is transferred to barrels. Batonnage and percentage of new oak both vary depending on the vintage and the cru. The wines are aged on the lees while in barrel and only racked in the fall just before the next vintages is harvested. The resulting wines have fresh flavors and bright acidity coupled with great intensity and substantial mouthfeel.

While there is a miniscule plot (14 ares) of Meursault Perrieres, the star wine is from Meursault Genevrieres. Since 1996, the domaine has made a “Cuvee des Pierre” from a small parcel of the oldest vines. Overall, they are the 2nd largest land owners in Genevrieres with 2.39 ha in total. Outside of Meursault, they own a plot in the Puligny 1er Cru Champs Canet just across the border from Meursault Perrieres. There are also reds from two excellent 1er Crus – Volnay Clos des Chenes and Pommard Refene.

Praise for Latour-Giraud

“As the scores and commentaries suggest, this domaine is slowly but surely becoming a source of really first-class quality. The oak treatment has been materially reduced and the style of the wines has clearly been gravitating toward a more classic character. If you don’t know the wines, pick up an example or two and I believe that you will be impressed.””
– Allen Meadows, Burghound, July 2011

“This is a domaine that has made great progress over the past twenty years and now fully deserves its place amongst the best of Meursault”
– Remington Norman, MW, The Great Domaines of Burgundy, 2010

"This has been one of the best sources in the village for some time now"
– Clive Coates, The Wines of Burgundy, 2008

Featured Vineyards

• Meursault "Perrieres"
• Meursault "Genevrieres"
• Meursault "Charmes"
• Meursault "Narvaux"
• Puligny "Champs Canet"
• Volnay "Clos des Chenes"
• Pommard "Refene"