Château Latour: Nicolas-Alexandre de Ségur, Prince of Vines
As the 18th century dawned, Latour was already establishing a reputation on important export markets, including England, as being the source of a very fine wine. As such it had quickly risen to unofficial first-growth status alongside Château Lafite (this estate was yet to come into the hands of the Rothschilds, so their name had not yet been appended), Château Margaux and Pontac, which had yet to take on the name by which we know it today, Château Haut-Brion.
In 1705 both Lafite and Latour were listed on an English merchant’s wine list, and in 1714 similar evidence shows the wines were also exported to the Netherlands. Thus Alexandre de Ségur had clearly managed his vineyards well, and on his death in 1716 they were all passed to his only son, none other than Nicolas-Alexandre de Ségur (1697 – 1755). Having been born on October 20th, 1697, this young beneficiary was a mere 19 years old when he inherited this grand and expansive estate.
The vineyards increased greatly in value during the 18th century, the result of wider appreciation of his wines, and Nicolas-Alexandre (pictured below) ultimately topped the Bordeaux rich list. As was perhaps common for a man of such wealth and standing he did not actually reside in Bordeaux, but instead lived much of his life in Paris. His residence was in the parish of Saint Roch, which lies in the modern-day first arrondissement, next to the Jardin des Tuileries.
