Chateau LaTour [Hardcover]

Michel Dovaz (Author), Laziz Hamani (Photographer), Michael Broadbent (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1999

This is the first publication devoted exclusively to Chateau Latour, one of the oldest and most prestigious vineyard estates in France. Leading specialist Michel Dovaz traces the history of the chateau, its various owners and wines, and leads us through the process of making an exceptional wine: from the harvest of the grapes to the hand wrapping of every bottle of Grand Vin. Included is a unique and detailed analysis of each of the chateau's vintages since 1735. This book is beautifully illustrated with specially commissioned, full-page, color photographs by Laziz Hamani.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 188 pages
• Publisher: Editions Assouline (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2843231000
• ISBN-13: 978-2843231001
• Product Dimensions: 13.4 x 10.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,191,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Neither the first nor the best..., September 14, 2001

By 

Chambolle (Bainbridge Island, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Chateau LaTour (Hardcover)

This is not, as the editorial review states, "the first publication devoted exclusively to Chateau Latour." An earlier and far more definitive book on Chateau Latour is Edmund Penning-Rowsell's translation of Charles Higounet's magnum opus, titled "Chateau Latour: The History of a Great Vineyard 1331-1992." There is a beautiful leather bound and numbered first edition of 1500, published in 1993 by Segrave Foulkes. The book runs nearly 570 pages, and it includes numerous maps, charts, photos, and reproductions of ancient documents from the Latour archives. Want to know what the annual production was between 1775 and 1825? Higounet will tell you. Need a list of key staff members at the estate from the mid-19th century to the late 20th century? Ditto, it's in there. Care to know what Latour's income and expenses looked like between 1916 and 1928? Need details about the updated drainage system constructed in 1885-1890, or the fire in 1892? It's all there. I don't believe there is a better researched and more comprehensive book about any other single vineyard property.

In short, Dovaz has put together a pleasant, superficial coffee table book about Latour that is neither the first nor the best. If a coffee table book is what you want, it serves the purpose well. However, if you are truly serious about Latour and about wine literature, and you want a unique and comprehensive book about the property and its history, bust the piggy bank (it will set you back about $...) and go find a copy of the Higounet/Penning-Rowsell volume. You will be very glad you did.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book in great condition, January 7, 2008

By 

Shore Shopper Mom (Beach Haven West, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chateau LaTour (Hardcover)

Love this book. I wanted to get my husband some nice coffee table style books for the top of our wine rack and this was a great buy! the book is large... so make sure you have the space for it! love this book!

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Book!, July 1, 2007

By 

Paul So (Taiyuan, Shanxi, China) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chateau LaTour (Hardcover)

Thanks very much, the book was arrived long times ago, however I need my friend brought back to China for me, thats why I cant rate straight after your delivery. A lovely book and in good condition. Thanks again.