Château LaTour Martillac takes its name from the 12th century tower in the main courtyard of the estate. The tower was part of a fortress built on a strategic stretch of land between Bordeaux and Toulouse. The famous philosopher Montesquieu owned the estate at one time and in the late 19th century it was purchased by Edouard Kressmann, one of Bordeaux’s leading wine merchants. Today the 100-acre property is still owned and operated by the Kressmann family, with the fourth generation in charge. LaTour Martillac produces red and white wines. Of note are the stylized black and gold labels, which were designed in the 1930s by the father-and-son team of Alfred and Jean Kressmann. The estate’s winemaker is Valérie Vialard. Recent vintages have won ratings in the mid-90s.