Château Latour-Martillac

Château Latour-Martillac is a Bordeaux wine estate and brand based in the commune of Martillac in the Pessac-Léognan appellation, within the Graves area south of Bordeaux. The estate is recognized as a Cru Classé in the 1953 Classification of Graves, a status that applies to selected red and white wines from the Graves region. Its name refers to the tower that remained from a small fortified castle believed to have existed on the property until the French Revolution. Viticulture was established on the land during the nineteenth century, when it was associated with the estate of Château de La Brède, known as the birthplace of the philosopher and political thinker Montesquieu. The property later became associated with Monsieur Charropin and took the Latour-Martillac identity. Its modern commercial history is closely linked to Edward Kressmann, a German wine merchant who initially distributed the wine and gradually became involved in its production. After the death of the owner, Kressmann purchased the estate in 1929 to preserve a wine that had become important to his clientele and family business. The Kressmann connection also has an earlier link to white-wine production. White grape varieties had been planted at the estate by 1884, and in 1892 the property launched Graves Monopole Dry, a dry white wine that achieved commercial success. The estate later passed to Alfred Kressmann and then to his son Jean, who had been involved in its management from 1940 and inherited it in 1955. Jean expanded the vineyard through the acquisition of neighboring land, bringing the holding to approximately 30 hectares at that stage. Today the estate is managed by the Kressmann family’s succeeding generation, notably brothers Tristan and Loïc. The property’s modern winemaking has also been associated with consultant Denis Dubourdieu from 1986 and consultant Michel Rolland from 1989 to 2005. The estate’s portfolio is centered on a red grand vin, a dry white grand vin, and the Lagrave Martillac second wine. Lagrave Martillac was introduced as a red second wine in 1986, while the estate’s dry white second wine dates from 1990. The vineyard covers approximately 42 hectares. Around 33 hectares are planted for red-wine production, with Cabernet Sauvignon as the dominant variety, supported by Merlot and Petit Verdot. Approximately nine hectares are dedicated to white grapes, principally Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, with Muscadelle completing the blend. Reported average production is about 20,000 cases of the red grand vin and 11,000 cases of the dry white, alongside approximately 4,000 cases of red Lagrave Martillac and 2,000 cases of its dry white counterpart. The brand’s positioning combines the prestige of Bordeaux classification with a family-owned estate identity and a portfolio spanning both red and white Pessac-Léognan wines.

The site of Château Latour-Martillac had a small fortified castle until the French Revolution. Only its tower survived, and that structure supplied the estate with the Latour-Martillac name. Winegrowing began in the nineteenth century, when the land was connected with the estate of Château de La Brède in the Graves area. Under Monsieur Charropin, the property adopted the Latour-Martillac identity, although its wines had not yet achieved particular distinction. Edward Kressmann, a German wine merchant, first became involved as a distributor. His commercial relationship with the estate deepened into participation in vinification, and in 1929 he bought the property after the previous owner’s death. Kressmann’s decision was motivated in part by the wine’s longstanding importance to his customers and his trading business. The estate had already developed a white-wine dimension before Kressmann’s acquisition. White varieties were planted by 1884, and Graves Monopole Dry was launched in 1892. The wine became successful and established an enduring role for dry white production alongside the estate’s red wines. Ownership subsequently passed to Alfred Kressmann and then to Jean Kressmann. Jean had been responsible for the estate’s management since 1940 and inherited it in 1955. He expanded the property by acquiring adjoining parcels, increasing the vineyard area to approximately 30 hectares. The Kressmann family continues to be associated with the estate. The current generation identified in reference material is represented by brothers Tristan and Loïc, who manage the property. The estate’s contemporary winemaking has included the input of Denis Dubourdieu from 1986 and Michel Rolland from 1989 through 2005. Château Latour-Martillac was included among the Cru Classé wines in the 1953 Classification of Graves. Its current production is organized around red and white Pessac-Léognan wines. The vineyard totals approximately 42 hectares, including 33 hectares of red varieties and nine hectares of white varieties. The red plantings are approximately 60 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 percent Merlot, and five percent Petit Verdot. White plantings are approximately 55 percent Sémillon, 40 percent Sauvignon Blanc, and five percent Muscadelle. The estate introduced Lagrave Martillac as a red second wine in 1986. A dry white version followed in 1990. These wines are made within the estate’s broader portfolio and complement the principal red and white grand vins. Reported average annual production is approximately 20,000 cases of the red grand vin, 11,000 cases of the dry white, 4,000 cases of red Lagrave Martillac, and 2,000 cases of dry white Lagrave Martillac. The brand therefore combines historical Bordeaux estate identity, classification-based prestige, family continuity, and a significant specialization in both red and dry white wines.

1. 1990Dry white second wine introduced

   A dry white version of Lagrave Martillac was added to the estate’s portfolio.

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2. 1986Lagrave Martillac red introduced

   The estate began producing its red second wine, Lagrave Martillac, using fruit associated with younger vines.

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3. 1955Jean Kressmann inherited the estate

   Jean Kressmann inherited the property and later expanded its vineyard holdings through the acquisition of neighboring land.

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4. 1953Included in the Classification of Graves

   Château Latour-Martillac received Cru Classé status in the 1953 Classification of Graves.

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5. 1929Edward Kressmann acquired the estate

   Wine merchant Edward Kressmann purchased the property after becoming closely involved in its distribution and vinification.

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6. 1892Graves Monopole Dry launched

   The estate introduced Graves Monopole Dry, a successful dry white wine that reinforced the property’s white-wine identity.

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7. 1884White varieties planted

   White grape varieties were planted at the estate, establishing an early foundation for its later dry-white production.

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A family-managed Cru Classé estate offering structured Pessac-Léognan reds and distinctive dry whites, with a heritage tied to the Kressmann wine-trading family.

• Château Latour-Martillac RedClassified-growth red Bordeaux

  The estate’s principal red wine from the Pessac-Léognan appellation. It is produced from the red-grape portion of the vineyard, planted primarily with Cabernet Sauvignon and supported by Merlot and Petit Verdot. As the estate’s red grand vin, it represents the property’s Cru Classé identity and forms the largest single product category by reported annual case production.

• Château Latour-Martillac Dry WhiteClassified-growth dry white Bordeaux

  The estate’s principal dry white wine, made from its white-wine vineyard area. The plantings are led by Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc, with Muscadelle also present. Dry white production has been part of the property’s identity since the nineteenth century, when white varieties were planted and Graves Monopole Dry was launched.

• Lagrave Martillac RedRed second wine1986

  A red second wine introduced in 1986. It is associated with the estate’s younger vines and provides a complementary expression of the property’s Pessac-Léognan red-wine production alongside the principal grand vin.

• Lagrave Martillac Dry WhiteWhite second wine1990

  The dry white counterpart to Lagrave Martillac, introduced in 1990. It extends the estate’s second-wine range into white Pessac-Léognan and complements the property’s established dry-white grand vin.

1. Château Latour-Martillac
2. Official Château Latour-Martillac website