Just opened 20 minutes ago and decanted, so it needs more air most likely. dark dusty old study, spiced plums and vanilla, cassis. A bit of tobacco. Chocolate. Very classy. Cool dark and restrained. Plums and cedar box and some spice. Tobacco - some leafy green. Dark fruits and spice into the end palate. Nice and resolved. Lots of acid. Savory. Drying tannins. Nose - 5.5/6, Palate - 5/6, Finish - 4.5/6, Je ne Sais Quoi - 1/2 = 16/20.
Day 2 - very aristocratic on the nose with dusty old study, plums, dark spices, tobacco. Palate is totally resolved with tobacco soft plums and a bit of spice. Good acid. Probably just a bit over the hill. Drink up.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
CC Bday Wine Dinner 2020!: Black fruits, tobacco leaves, green pepper notes. Nice structure and linearity. This was drinking amazing and in its prime IMO. FG quality comes through. This probably ties for no. 3 tonight! Bravo!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This may be a second label, but it’s not a second rate wine. Opened 7 hours before dinner, the initial ½ ounce pour looks like baby poo and smells like something between prunes and raisins. But by dinner ... the color is a rich garnet the nose delivers sharp graphite, cedar, tobo, and cassis. The mouthfeel is silky smooth. The finish isn’t long, but it isn’t wanting either. The tannins are, of course, fully resolved, with a smooth and round texture. Such an amazing wine. So much fine sediment, that I left the last 1/8th of an inch in the bottle. 12.5% alc. With roasted beef tenderloin (courtesy of Marty Philpott) and salmon grilled by DDB as she throws a surprise party for me with the Sheets and Smileys as guests. 08.05.20 (yes, my 60th). Highly Recommended.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
30 bday session at Maison Dakota. Tasted blind. Aired for few hours in Voss bottle already. Drank in Grassl Cru. Dammit should have used the Grassl 1855. Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour with garnet rim. Legs. Nose medium+ intensity, with aromas of dark red cherries, wild blackberries, animal meat, leather, iron minerality, earth, light spice. Capsicums and sweet cassis with more air. Developing. On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium alcohol (13%), velvety plush mouth-coating medium+ tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of plush black cherries, blackberries, black plums, dark red cherries, leathery animal meat, earth, iron minerality, spicy capsicums rearing up with more air. Very long finish. Awesome wine. Keeps drawing you to take another whiff and sip. Excellent quality. Felt so Burgundian, until the capsicums emerged. Feels like it can still go on for another 7-8 years easily.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted blind. Excellent bottle, clearly mature Medoc of high quality was the group's guess. Pleased to see how Latour's second wine performed in this stellar vintage. Wonderful tertiary nose of forest floor and dark fruit. Good palate presence, remains elegant and refreshing. Class act.
Un excellent Bordeaux, sur des belles notes tertiaires de cuir et de mousse, sans oxydation ou impression qu'il est trop tard. D'ailleurs, je pense qu'il en a encore sous la cravate pour plusieurs années. Rien de poussiéreux ici!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Previous bottle was a bit dodgy so opened with some trepidation as it was my last bottle. It was amazing - fresh, smooth with very defined cassis nose. Loved it...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Winebar [end of yr Special] + 3 Shared Bottles from 12/27/19 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): “Les Forts de Latour is produced with the same meticulous care as the Grand Vin, both in the vyd & in the winery. The only notable difference, apart from the origin of the grapes, is the proportion of new barrels (50-60%) used in the maturing stage.” Also, “There is always a higher proportion of Merlot (25-30%) compared to the Grand Vin.”
N: Vanilla SLIGHTLY atop RIPE frt (plums) with notes of minerals & some unparsables; Intensity lurking
P: LM body; RNDISH entry with very NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by a bit of astringent pucker which never even remotely loses contact with the init frt as it SEAMLESSLY works its way into & through the VERY LONG, *beautifully* BALANCED finish with an elegant tangy/swtness to the innocuously firming, dusty tannins. A *sensational* wine that, while quite poss @ its apex, should EASILY make its 35th, poss even its 40th? My Exceptional-/Exceptional (96-100/100 using that metric)! 94 pts WS, 91+ John Gilman (9-10/'17), 90 ea WA (2/'98) & Jeannie Cho Lee (4/15/13), 89 (Jean-Marc Quarin, 6/1/00), and 18 & 17/20 (8/7/18) Jancis Robinson. [As of late Dec '19, wine-searcher still shows 1 source @ $350.89].
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Expansive, powerful black fruit. Meaty nose with a touch of graphite. Lightly floral after an hour in the decanter. Some cedar. On the palate, tannins are resolved but this has the flavors and liveliness of a much younger wine. Quite fruity, with just a hint of leather and mineral. Grows more and more seductive in the glass. Quite rich and voluptuous. Medium-plus finish. If this wine is drinking so young, I can’t imagine how much life the grand vin must have ahead of it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The 1990 Latour is one of my all time favorite Bordeaux's. This Les Forts de la Tour is a truly worthy second wine with much of the character as its big brother, just lacking the size and volume, but retaining the flavor profile and La Tour Character. It's in a beautiful place right now with mostly resolved tannins, but I don't see where this will lose much and may be even better in another decade. Sadly my last bottle so I will be unlikely to find out. Phenomenal pairing with a grilled Rib Eye.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Garnet turning to brick red. Pulled and poured. Beautiful nose, a combination of musty fungi, blackberries, caramel, saddle leather and gun flint. Palate had much more grip than previous bottle without decanting. Softer tannins fully integrated now - sandalwood notes, forest floor, some pepper, blackberries and black cherries. Full bodied and a long finish with just a hint of bitterness.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This seems to be at its apogee now and shows a classically Forts de Latour nose with currant, beef blood, walnut, and coal. Not as dark in complexion or as driven as the Grand Vin, but a fine example of a mature Pauillac, as FDL usually is.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lovely mature Pauillac. Cork almost fully soaked, intact. Ruby red color with slight bricking. Decanted and drank over two hours. Nose of cassis, leather, black currant, pencil shavings and hints of tobacco. On the palate dry but rich, good complexity and fruit, acidity that adds balance and depth, medium bodied and a pretty long finish. One more bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opaque, ruby colored, medium bodied, a full bouquet of floral perfume and forest floor that holds on the breath in the mouth long after sipping, silky smooth, sinewy, polished notes of black currant fruit integrated with notes of tobacco, leather, hints of cassis and touch of cedar and spice on the almost delicate finish. At 27 years, this resembles a mature Bordeaux that seems to be at the latter stage of its drinking window, not likely to improve further with aging, but not to be rushed to consumption either.
Bordeaux: Second wines in great vintages. (Valuas): Beautiful bouquet with earth. autumn forest, tobacco, dark berries and luxurious oak and cedar. On the palate the same impressions with great and beautiful acidity, some pleasant barnyard, silky tannin with a soft bite. Overall harmonious and a great length. Lovely and luxurious wine, ready now and the next few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lovely mature Pauillac and underrated. One of the 1990s that I really like. Decanted and let breathe for an hour. Bricking throughout the wine showcasing its age, lovely nose of cassis, cooked meat, sweet tobacco and extremely old leather. On the palate refined entry wwit mature cassis and black currants, some spice, good backbone, elegance dare I say and balance. Still good acidity to the wine with time in the decanter and a lovely long finish and fully resolved tannins. Excellent. Keeps getting better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pnp, the wine displays that dreamy 1990 nose, sweet and sophisticated, almost exclusively of cedar wood and black currants now. On the palate you get exactly what you had on the nose and it has great balance and that silky mouth-feel you often get from great aged Bordeaux. This bottle is very similar to the one I had 2 years ago, and it will probably hold at this level, but it is a bit fragile in the structure, maybe an early sign that it is passed its best I think.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Slow Ox for 2 1/2 - 3 hrs. Nose opened with lovely aromatics of cedar, pencil lead, tobacco and soft cassis and blackberries. The palate had more cedar, spices and cassis. The texture was extremely silky with an superbly smooth and velvety mid palate. The wines transitions from the entry to the finish seamlessly. The finish was long and subtle. The only complain would be the intensity, which I felt lacking somewhat and the exorbitant price it commands today.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking beautifully following a two hour decant. Tawny ruby, very evolved nose of cassis, black currants, sweet tobacco, spices, pencil shavings, pure Pauillac fireworks. Very well balanced on the palate with tannins resolved and a nice long finish. Excellent.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Probably a once in-a-lifetime. Pristine bottle, elegant nose, dried cassis, plums, leather, truffle and very nice floral touch. Nice texture fine grainy tannins, lovely fruit, great length, absolute classic!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking amazingly well now but a decant and aeration for at least an hour is needed for the wine to add weight and complexity. Fully mature left bank, truly in balance, almost as good as the Pichon Baron 1990, long sweetish finish with cassis and pipe tobacco. Just excellent, corks fully soaked with a lovely scent remaining days after removal.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pristine bottle, cork intact, fully soaked and fragrant as a mature super second left bank bordeaux. Decanted and aerated for two hours then drank over another two hours. Not a hint of decline in this wonderful wine now at its plateau of maturity. Some bricking in the deep ruby color, excellent nose of cassis, leather, wet earth, graphite, black currants, pipe tobacco. On the palate wonderfully balanced, some complexity mid palate, very good acidity and backbone to the wine, gained weight while in decanter, medium to full bodied, coats the palate and a glycerin like finish with fully resolved tannins. Excellent wine, as good as any super second Pauillac.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very nice color marginally bricking rims, like a puece of ruby. Nose of leather, cassis, pencil shaving and then florest floor. Atill fresh and lightly acidic on palate, good conc, tannin is totally resolved, this is very enjoyable but time to drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bouteille en bonne condition, le bouchon était sec mais est sorti d'une pièce. Niveau haute épaule. Non carafé. Etonnamment, cette bouteille que j'avais dans ma cave depuis 20 ans, semblait en moins bonne condition que celle bue il y a 2 ans. Le vin, toutefois, était meilleur. Le nez offrait des arômes de tabac et de menthol, de pivoines aussi. En bouche, il y avait une belle matière, certes sans trop de complexité mais offrant de belles saveurs bien rondes. Bonne longueur aussi. A terminer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Colour is still quite deep, of course with a slightly brown edge. On the nose there is lots of fruit, mint, tea, some red berries. Taste is big, balanced, lots of tannin, well balanced, claret in a surprisingly modern style, just lovely!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Best bottle so far. Decanted, let breathe for an hour and drank over another hour. Amazing mature bordeaux nose of leather, sweet tobacco, liquorice, toffee, black currants, and some spice. Fat entry on the palate, excellent balance and structure, medium to full bodied, complex mid palate, and a nice finish with fully resolved tannins ending on a mocha note. Wow hope the other bottles are in the same condition.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wine Education Service - Mature Bordeaux (LSE): Mahogany. Gorgeous nose, no fruit but so much else, sweetness, chocolate, toffee. Lovely juicy attack, smooth, ripe tannins, very long, a stunning wine - and so much to come.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted and aerated for an hour and drank over two hours. Deep ruby color with bricking throughout the wine. Nose dominated by cassis, leather, pencil shavings and gravel. Classic pauillac, gained weight with more time in the decanter. Good acidity although slightly running out of steam. Rich entry into the palate, great cassis fruit mid palate, nice complexity but lacking a bit of that oomph that you get with the 1990 vintage from super seconds such as Pichon Baron. Medium to full bodied. Nice long finish with tannins fully resolved, however there is a slight hint of rusticity towards the end that for me caps the score for this wine to 92. 9 bottles left so we will see how this wine evolves.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine has been consistently excellent. Deep dark and pungent mineral and cassis bouquet. Tar, gravel and dark fruits dominate the palate, which is medium bodied but rich, expressive and beautifully complex. Classic, resonating finish. This wine is mature but with ample life and fruit left. If you still have a few bottles, don't feel rushed to drink them all. Although I'm sure you'll be tempted (like I was), in which case just give in (like I did)!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
The wine looks ruby colored. The legs are slow. There is moderate sediment in the bottle. It smells like black currant (cassis), honey and vanilla. It tastes like black currant (cassis), violet and mushroom. The body is medium/full. The wine has smooth texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has medium acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Brought to TH's birthday dinner at Blue Butcher. One of the handful of bottles whose corks were not strong enough to survive an accidental freezing of my wine fridge (since repaired), this bottle of 1990 les forts was its classy and charming self. Goodness knows how the smell of pencil shavings and charcoal ash can come together with grapey, cassis flavors to form such a persuasive package for the human nose and palate. But some mysteries in life are not to be unraveled, but simply to be left alone and enjoyed!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Beautiful, clear, deep black cherry color. Deep and complex nose of mushroom, leather, tea leaf, red fruits and berries, and cedar, really lovely and enticing. On the palate, less depth than expected but still somewhat complex, with volatility and peppery heat moving forward through the finish. Acidity seems to be fading, tannins are persistent but pleasant enough. This is ready now but should hold for a number of years. 8 hours slow ox in bottle, one hour in decanter, this would almost certainly have benefited from more air.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
We had two bottles of this at a local restaurant last night. We were shown the cork first - travel all the way but there was no loss of volume in the bottle. Tipped the glass and the colour was deep - very deep purple and hint of brown - and this is a 23yr old wine, so high expectations. A full nose of blackberries and heavy fruits, then on the palate, it was black tea and wood. Second bottle - same i.e. same travel in the cork. Same impressions. This second bottle probably had an extra hour to breathe. Interestingly, no sediment. This was one big beast of a wine - for true followers.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Second bottle I'm having within a week, mainly because I didn't get to drink enough of the previous bottle... This one was strictly for Mrs L and I! Tight and unyielding at first pour, the wine opened up considerably after an hour. Strong wafts of cedar and creme de cassis filled the nose, with mineral and floral notes floating gently in the background. Tannins are nicely resolved in this elegant, medium-bodied wine. While it doesn't quite match the top 1990 wines in terms of complexity and opulence, I think it more than holds its own as a stand-alone example of finely crafted Bordeaux sitting in the prime of its drinking window.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened next to a 1982 Ch Margaux, this had a noticeably quieter nose but the cassis, lead pencil shavings and cedar were classic Pauillac. Medium bodied and fully mature, this elegant wine is drinking beautifully.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for 1h. An unmistakable 1990. It has that delicious "floating" sweet currant flavour, elegantly balanced and long delicate finish. Yet there is something slightly fragile about it. Maybe on it's final legs, it feels like it could sour if you just spoke harshly to it... Terrific nonetheless
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Bouteille et bouchon parfaits, niveau juste au-dessus du goulot, le vin était dans ma cave depuis 20 ans. Couleur grenat assez sombre, quelques petites traces d'évolution. Nez discret de thé noir, légèrement poussiéreux, s'améliorant rapidement à l'aération. Attaque en bouche d'abord âpre, puis la douceur arrive (prunes) et finalement les tanins malheureusement encore astringents (potage de légumes). Après passage en carafe, le vin accompagnait parfaitement le rumpsteack, il pouvait rivaliser. Au final, après 2H, il s'exprimait pleinement et était très bon, mais la relative verdeur des tanins n'a jamais totalement disparu et il finit un peu court, ce qui m'empêche de donner un score plus élevé. A boire dans les 5 ans car il ne s'améliorera pas.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Brick red (as one would expect). Tasted immediately upon opening and was somewhat insipid, but then decanted for 2-3 hours and improved with each glass over the course of the evening. Beautiful nose, a combination of musty fungi, black currant, caramel, saddle leather and gun flint. Palate, after 2+ hours of decanting, had grip and power, still some tannins present (surprisingly) - sandalwood notes, forest floor, some pepper, black currant. Full bodied and a long finish with just a hint of bitterness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This bottle was better than the last. Decanted and drank over 3hours. Initial notes of smoke, graphite, some cassis and red and black fruit on the nose and palate. There was a bitterness on th finish at first, went away then came back towards the end. A nice sweetness of fruit developed. Sllky in the mouth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I can say this is lighter than typical Latours (of which I have been lucky enough to taste more than of the Les Forts), somewhat typical in body for a 1990 Paullaic, but aromatic and taste sensations are overwhelmed by brett. Some brett is fine but this is just overwhelming, hence the score. Evidently bottle variation, per other notes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The wine was crystal clear. The color, brick red. a claret in the true sense of the word. the nose hit all the classic notes, cedar ( or as some describe it pencil shavings and graphite), very mature fruit but certainly not over the hill. The wine was lighter and more feminine than I had expected. and the finish, a little short. Not as much sediment as I expected either.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Double decanted and drank over 4 hours. Started out very silky, earth nose with wood and dark fruit. After about 2hours it did seem more tannic as the fruit fell off and then became a little bitter. This is in a good place right now, but I will drink my next bottle a little quicker. Medium finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
tremendous balance and finesse. not as brick colored as some of the previous tasting notes. It was hard to distinguish it from the 05 vineyard 29 at a glance. heck of a wine, wish i had more than a glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Color: Bright, Dark Red, Clear. Nose: Oak, Secondary Dark fruits, cassis, currents, leather, Palate: Fantastic mature dark fruits, cassis current, old leather , oak sea salt full body
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drunk alongside 90 Leoville Barton and 90 Troplong Mondot. Decanted 1 hour before serving. Brownish tinge and had the dullest colour of the trio. On the nose, a bit more funk then the others but unmistakeable Pauillac cigar box and leather. On the palate, it showed good deal more complexity with still that funk up front followed by cassis and well integrated tannins. As the evening wore on, the wine opened up far more on the finish and finished the evning showing very strongly. I had some of the Latour austerity and richness, but nothing like the tannin or complexity of the Grand Vin. Perhaps a few years too old, it showed very well against two top class wines. For 2 of my guests, it was the WOTN.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I can't praise this wine highly enough. While undoubtedly it lacks some of the purity and sustain of the big brother, it's very difficult to believe this is a second wine as the nose and palatte are unmistakable Latour. Therefore I am rating this wine very highly on points. Absolutely delicious, just a very satisfying wine. And a great chance to experience genuine Latour character at one quarter of the price of the Grand Vin and (relatively) excellent QPR. Fully mature now, but the tannins are still grippy and it should hold on well for another 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
San Antonio Wine Geeks; 2/11/2010-2/12/2010 (Godai Sushi Bar and Restaurant): Initially was showing almost no fruit, was acidic and unpleasant. After a few hrs some funk had blown off and was showing a lengthy finish of cedar and mineral. Never showed much fruit and seems tired. I think an off bottle, 86 points otherwise.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
since community assumes that wine should have been drunken by 2006, I was impressed of the 1990's richness and it's still (surprisingly) round and concentrated flavors.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
So soft and elegant and fully mature. Smells of sweet old tobacco and dried blackberries with a hint of peanuts. Goes down so smooth without much intensity and concentration but gorgeous balance and purity. Nothing quite like perfectly aged Bordeaux. Drink now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2nd bottle tonight. A big hit. Great nose, wonderful palate. I thought this wine was getting a bit long in the tooth, but these 2 bottles said otherwise.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted 90 minutes before serving. A delicious if not complex wine at this stage. Plum, currant with a hint of roasted potato (seriously!) Tannins are well integrated, still good color with slightest hint of amber edge. Medium body. Nose was short-lived when poured(perhaps decanting was a mistake?) A very nice wine, but drink soon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasting Group Dinner (Craig's House): Wow, this had a very interesting nose of rice pudding and bread. Brad commented that it smelled "like Minnehaha Falls in the spring." Black fruits, smoke, plums, and pencil lead, with well-integrated tannins. Drinking very well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Boxed In at Craig's (DRC, Leroy, Dugat-Py, Rousseau, Dujac, Kistler, d'Yquem and others): Popped and poured when the Pichon Lalande was deemed to be corked. The nose was surprisingly Latour-like. It was interesting to taste this beside the Cos, because they were very similar in weight and personality. This wine seemed a bit more open than the Cos, but also a bit more simple. An excellent back-up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Performed well. Decanted for three hours, and was the better for it. Good wine, but my guess is it will not get better, and should be drunk over the next 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Home alone...wife at the office Xmas party.. broke out a bottle.. decanted only 1 hour: pale golden red with some brown around the edges. Initially cigar box, pencil shavings, sweet dark plum on the nose..later notes of ripe bing cherry preserves...sweet
Smooth, well integrated on the palate, but the mid-palate is somewhat weak...later (1 Hour) showing notes of cedar and cigar.. long finish.. Still some harsh tannins
Overall, should be drunk in the next few years..92
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2/26/2022 - Seth Rosenberg Likes this wine: 92 Points
Just opened 20 minutes ago and decanted, so it needs more air most likely. dark dusty old study, spiced plums and vanilla, cassis. A bit of tobacco. Chocolate. Very classy. Cool dark and restrained. Plums and cedar box and some spice. Tobacco - some leafy green. Dark fruits and spice into the end palate. Nice and resolved. Lots of acid. Savory. Drying tannins. Nose - 5.5/6, Palate - 5/6, Finish - 4.5/6, Je ne Sais Quoi - 1/2 = 16/20.
Day 2 - very aristocratic on the nose with dusty old study, plums, dark spices, tobacco. Palate is totally resolved with tobacco soft plums and a bit of spice. Good acid. Probably just a bit over the hill. Drink up.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/1/2021 - pkouchu wrote: 93 Points
damp earth, pencil shavings, tobacco, leather, cassis, smoked meats, black currant, oak spice and dusty cherries
nice spot, only needed about an hour to come alive
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/3/2020 - dnnk88 Likes this wine: 94 Points
CC Bday Wine Dinner 2020!: Black fruits, tobacco leaves, green pepper notes. Nice structure and linearity. This was drinking amazing and in its prime IMO. FG quality comes through. This probably ties for no. 3 tonight! Bravo!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/5/2020 - timewithwine wrote:
This may be a second label, but it’s not a second rate wine. Opened 7 hours before dinner, the initial ½ ounce pour looks like baby poo and smells like something between prunes and raisins. But by dinner ... the color is a rich garnet the nose delivers sharp graphite, cedar, tobo, and cassis. The mouthfeel is silky smooth. The finish isn’t long, but it isn’t wanting either. The tannins are, of course, fully resolved, with a smooth and round texture. Such an amazing wine. So much fine sediment, that I left the last 1/8th of an inch in the bottle. 12.5% alc. With roasted beef tenderloin (courtesy of Marty Philpott) and salmon grilled by DDB as she throws a surprise party for me with the Sheets and Smileys as guests. 08.05.20 (yes, my 60th). Highly Recommended.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2020 - Hanibal Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nice cassis, pencil shavings, cigar box smell. Medium length
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/20/2020 - Derek Darth Taster Likes this wine: 97 Points
30 bday session at Maison Dakota. Tasted blind. Aired for few hours in Voss bottle already. Drank in Grassl Cru. Dammit should have used the Grassl 1855.
Appearance is clear, deep intensity, ruby colour with garnet rim. Legs.
Nose medium+ intensity, with aromas of dark red cherries, wild blackberries, animal meat, leather, iron minerality, earth, light spice. Capsicums and sweet cassis with more air. Developing.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium alcohol (13%), velvety plush mouth-coating medium+ tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of plush black cherries, blackberries, black plums, dark red cherries, leathery animal meat, earth, iron minerality, spicy capsicums rearing up with more air. Very long finish.
Awesome wine. Keeps drawing you to take another whiff and sip. Excellent quality. Felt so Burgundian, until the capsicums emerged.
Feels like it can still go on for another 7-8 years easily.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/13/2020 - Collector1855 wrote: 96 Points
Tasted blind. Excellent bottle, clearly mature Medoc of high quality was the group's guess. Pleased to see how Latour's second wine performed in this stellar vintage. Wonderful tertiary nose of forest floor and dark fruit. Good palate presence, remains elegant and refreshing. Class act.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
2/8/2020 - Mazy Likes this wine: 94 Points
Un excellent Bordeaux, sur des belles notes tertiaires de cuir et de mousse, sans oxydation ou impression qu'il est trop tard. D'ailleurs, je pense qu'il en a encore sous la cravate pour plusieurs années. Rien de poussiéreux ici!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2020 - Jimskiw wrote: 98 Points
Previous bottle was a bit dodgy so opened with some trepidation as it was my last bottle. It was amazing - fresh, smooth with very defined cassis nose. Loved it...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/28/2019 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [end of yr Special] + 3 Shared Bottles from 12/27/19 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): “Les Forts de Latour is produced with the same meticulous care as the Grand Vin, both in the vyd & in the winery. The only notable difference, apart from the origin of the grapes, is the proportion of new barrels (50-60%) used in the maturing stage.” Also, “There is always a higher proportion of Merlot (25-30%) compared to the Grand Vin.”
N: Vanilla SLIGHTLY atop RIPE frt (plums) with notes of minerals & some unparsables; Intensity lurking
P: LM body; RNDISH entry with very NICE, ALMOST swtish frt met by a bit of astringent pucker which never even remotely loses contact with the init frt as it SEAMLESSLY works its way into & through the VERY LONG, *beautifully* BALANCED finish with an elegant tangy/swtness to the innocuously firming, dusty tannins. A *sensational* wine that, while quite poss @ its apex, should EASILY make its 35th, poss even its 40th? My Exceptional-/Exceptional (96-100/100 using that metric)! 94 pts WS, 91+ John Gilman (9-10/'17), 90 ea WA (2/'98) & Jeannie Cho Lee (4/15/13), 89 (Jean-Marc Quarin, 6/1/00), and 18 & 17/20 (8/7/18) Jancis Robinson. [As of late Dec '19, wine-searcher still shows 1 source @ $350.89].
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/29/2019 - Don Roberto wrote: 92 Points
Still surprisingly fresh, tannins fully integrated, good acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/31/2019 - MaxSiegel Likes this wine: 93 Points
Expansive, powerful black fruit. Meaty nose with a touch of graphite. Lightly floral after an hour in the decanter. Some cedar. On the palate, tannins are resolved but this has the flavors and liveliness of a much younger wine. Quite fruity, with just a hint of leather and mineral. Grows more and more seductive in the glass. Quite rich and voluptuous. Medium-plus finish. If this wine is drinking so young, I can’t imagine how much life the grand vin must have ahead of it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/1/2019 - Burgundy Mitch Likes this wine: 94 Points
The 1990 Latour is one of my all time favorite Bordeaux's. This Les Forts de la Tour is a truly worthy second wine with much of the character as its big brother, just lacking the size and volume, but retaining the flavor profile and La Tour Character. It's in a beautiful place right now with mostly resolved tannins, but I don't see where this will lose much and may be even better in another decade. Sadly my last bottle so I will be unlikely to find out. Phenomenal pairing with a grilled Rib Eye.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/7/2018 - RISM Likes this wine: 92 Points
Garnet turning to brick red. Pulled and poured. Beautiful nose, a combination of musty fungi, blackberries, caramel, saddle leather and gun flint. Palate had much more grip than previous bottle without decanting. Softer tannins fully integrated now - sandalwood notes, forest floor, some pepper, blackberries and black cherries. Full bodied and a long finish with just a hint of bitterness.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/3/2018 - europat55 wrote: 94 Points
Nose: A Palate: A-
My #2, Group's #5 (85 pts). Tasted blind.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/1/2018 - englishman's claret wrote: 93 Points
This seems to be at its apogee now and shows a classically Forts de Latour nose with currant, beef blood, walnut, and coal. Not as dark in complexion or as driven as the Grand Vin, but a fine example of a mature Pauillac, as FDL usually is.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/19/2018 - the player Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lovely mature Pauillac. Cork almost fully soaked, intact. Ruby red color with slight bricking. Decanted and drank over two hours. Nose of cassis, leather, black currant, pencil shavings and hints of tobacco. On the palate dry but rich, good complexity and fruit, acidity that adds balance and depth, medium bodied and a pretty long finish. One more bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/20/2017 - rmcnees Likes this wine: 93 Points
Opaque, ruby colored, medium bodied, a full bouquet of floral perfume and forest floor that holds on the breath in the mouth long after sipping, silky smooth, sinewy, polished notes of black currant fruit integrated with notes of tobacco, leather, hints of cassis and touch of cedar and spice on the almost delicate finish. At 27 years, this resembles a mature Bordeaux that seems to be at the latter stage of its drinking window, not likely to improve further with aging, but not to be rushed to consumption either.
https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2017/09/forts-latourquilcedaredwine.html
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/2/2016 - Zweder wrote: 95 Points
Bordeaux: Second wines in great vintages. (Valuas): Beautiful bouquet with earth. autumn forest, tobacco, dark berries and luxurious oak and cedar. On the palate the same impressions with great and beautiful acidity, some pleasant barnyard, silky tannin with a soft bite. Overall harmonious and a great length. Lovely and luxurious wine, ready now and the next few years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/29/2016 - the player Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lovely mature Pauillac and underrated. One of the 1990s that I really like. Decanted and let breathe for an hour. Bricking throughout the wine showcasing its age, lovely nose of cassis, cooked meat, sweet tobacco and extremely old leather. On the palate refined entry wwit mature cassis and black currants, some spice, good backbone, elegance dare I say and balance. Still good acidity to the wine with time in the decanter and a lovely long finish and fully resolved tannins. Excellent. Keeps getting better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/21/2016 - Burgundy Al wrote: 92 Points
Christie's Smith Haut Lafitte Dinner (RPM Steak - Chicago IL): Very ripe black fruit, cassis and oak spice aromas. Similarly lush, ripe flavors provide lots of pleasure with good concentration, even if just moderately nuanced. Very good now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/14/2016 - MrBrege wrote: 93 Points
Pnp, the wine displays that dreamy 1990 nose, sweet and sophisticated, almost exclusively of cedar wood and black currants now. On the palate you get exactly what you had on the nose and it has great balance and that silky mouth-feel you often get from great aged Bordeaux. This bottle is very similar to the one I had 2 years ago, and it will probably hold at this level, but it is a bit fragile in the structure, maybe an early sign that it is passed its best I think.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/10/2015 - Nicholas81 wrote: 93 Points
Slow Ox for 2 1/2 - 3 hrs. Nose opened with lovely aromatics of cedar, pencil lead, tobacco and soft cassis and blackberries. The palate had more cedar, spices and cassis. The texture was extremely silky with an superbly smooth and velvety mid palate. The wines transitions from the entry to the finish seamlessly. The finish was long and subtle. The only complain would be the intensity, which I felt lacking somewhat and the exorbitant price it commands today.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/29/2015 - the player Likes this wine: 94 Points
See previous notes. Drinking extremely well after a two hour decant with complexity and maturity evident. Long life ahead but what a treat it is now!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/15/2015 - the player Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking beautifully following a two hour decant. Tawny ruby, very evolved nose of cassis, black currants, sweet tobacco, spices, pencil shavings, pure Pauillac fireworks. Very well balanced on the palate with tannins resolved and a nice long finish. Excellent.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/19/2015 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 93 Points
A private tasting (Jan-Dirk Taams' residence, Groot-Ammers, Netherlands): Mature claret, deep and rich, polished, perfectly classical, perfectly mature, warm and cedary, strawberry, hint of lead pencil, good weight and length.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/19/2015 - JWdeSommelier Likes this wine: 93 Points
Probably a once in-a-lifetime. Pristine bottle, elegant nose, dried cassis, plums, leather, truffle and very nice floral touch. Nice texture fine grainy tannins, lovely fruit, great length, absolute classic!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/16/2015 - the player Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drinking amazingly well now but a decant and aeration for at least an hour is needed for the wine to add weight and complexity. Fully mature left bank, truly in balance, almost as good as the Pichon Baron 1990, long sweetish finish with cassis and pipe tobacco. Just excellent, corks fully soaked with a lovely scent remaining days after removal.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/8/2015 - the player Likes this wine: 93 Points
Pristine bottle, cork intact, fully soaked and fragrant as a mature super second left bank bordeaux. Decanted and aerated for two hours then drank over another two hours. Not a hint of decline in this wonderful wine now at its plateau of maturity. Some bricking in the deep ruby color, excellent nose of cassis, leather, wet earth, graphite, black currants, pipe tobacco. On the palate wonderfully balanced, some complexity mid palate, very good acidity and backbone to the wine, gained weight while in decanter, medium to full bodied, coats the palate and a glycerin like finish with fully resolved tannins. Excellent wine, as good as any super second Pauillac.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/6/2015 - conviction buy Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very nice color marginally bricking rims, like a puece of ruby. Nose of leather, cassis, pencil shaving and then florest floor. Atill fresh and lightly acidic on palate, good conc, tannin is totally resolved, this is very enjoyable but time to drink up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/16/2015 - Ericsson wrote: 91 Points
Bouteille en bonne condition, le bouchon était sec mais est sorti d'une pièce. Niveau haute épaule. Non carafé. Etonnamment, cette bouteille que j'avais dans ma cave depuis 20 ans, semblait en moins bonne condition que celle bue il y a 2 ans. Le vin, toutefois, était meilleur.
Le nez offrait des arômes de tabac et de menthol, de pivoines aussi. En bouche, il y avait une belle matière, certes sans trop de complexité mais offrant de belles saveurs bien rondes. Bonne longueur aussi.
A terminer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/17/2015 - Blauweiss Likes this wine: 94 Points
Colour is still quite deep, of course with a slightly brown edge. On the nose there is lots of fruit, mint, tea, some red berries. Taste is big, balanced, lots of tannin, well balanced, claret in a surprisingly modern style, just lovely!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/13/2015 - HamTech87 wrote: flawed
A bit corked. Barely drinkable. I waited too long.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2015 - the player Likes this wine: 94 Points
Best bottle so far. Decanted, let breathe for an hour and drank over another hour. Amazing mature bordeaux nose of leather, sweet tobacco, liquorice, toffee, black currants, and some spice. Fat entry on the palate, excellent balance and structure, medium to full bodied, complex mid palate, and a nice finish with fully resolved tannins ending on a mocha note. Wow hope the other bottles are in the same condition.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/1/2014 - tendring Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wine Education Service - Mature Bordeaux (LSE): Mahogany.
Gorgeous nose, no fruit but so much else, sweetness, chocolate, toffee.
Lovely juicy attack, smooth, ripe tannins, very long, a stunning wine - and so much to come.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2014 - the player Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted and aerated for an hour and drank over two hours. Deep ruby color with bricking throughout the wine. Nose dominated by cassis, leather, pencil shavings and gravel. Classic pauillac, gained weight with more time in the decanter. Good acidity although slightly running out of steam. Rich entry into the palate, great cassis fruit mid palate, nice complexity but lacking a bit of that oomph that you get with the 1990 vintage from super seconds such as Pichon Baron. Medium to full bodied. Nice long finish with tannins fully resolved, however there is a slight hint of rusticity towards the end that for me caps the score for this wine to 92. 9 bottles left so we will see how this wine evolves.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/26/2014 - ilee Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine has been consistently excellent. Deep dark and pungent mineral and cassis bouquet. Tar, gravel and dark fruits dominate the palate, which is medium bodied but rich, expressive and beautifully complex. Classic, resonating finish. This wine is mature but with ample life and fruit left. If you still have a few bottles, don't feel rushed to drink them all. Although I'm sure you'll be tempted (like I was), in which case just give in (like I did)!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/30/2014 - danielk168 wrote: 92 Points
still youthful, not decanted, lasted over 3 hours, pricey but very good indeed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/15/2014 - Flemming69 wrote: 93 Points
The wine looks ruby colored. The legs are slow. There is moderate sediment in the bottle. It smells like black currant (cassis), honey and vanilla. It tastes like black currant (cassis), violet and mushroom. The body is medium/full. The wine has smooth texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has medium acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/10/2014 - ilee Likes this wine: 93 Points
Brought to TH's birthday dinner at Blue Butcher. One of the handful of bottles whose corks were not strong enough to survive an accidental freezing of my wine fridge (since repaired), this bottle of 1990 les forts was its classy and charming self. Goodness knows how the smell of pencil shavings and charcoal ash can come together with grapey, cassis flavors to form such a persuasive package for the human nose and palate. But some mysteries in life are not to be unraveled, but simply to be left alone and enjoyed!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/13/2014 - petitblanc wrote: 92 Points
Beautiful, clear, deep black cherry color. Deep and complex nose of mushroom, leather, tea leaf, red fruits and berries, and cedar, really lovely and enticing. On the palate, less depth than expected but still somewhat complex, with volatility and peppery heat moving forward through the finish. Acidity seems to be fading, tannins are persistent but pleasant enough. This is ready now but should hold for a number of years. 8 hours slow ox in bottle, one hour in decanter, this would almost certainly have benefited from more air.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/13/2014 - petitblanc wrote: flawed
Faintest hint of TCA.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/1/2013 - shallIshantI Likes this wine: 93 Points
We had two bottles of this at a local restaurant last night. We were shown the cork first - travel all the way but there was no loss of volume in the bottle. Tipped the glass and the colour was deep - very deep purple and hint of brown - and this is a 23yr old wine, so high expectations. A full nose of blackberries and heavy fruits, then on the palate, it was black tea and wood. Second bottle - same i.e. same travel in the cork. Same impressions. This second bottle probably had an extra hour to breathe. Interestingly, no sediment. This was one big beast of a wine - for true followers.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/29/2013 - ilee Likes this wine: 93 Points
Second bottle I'm having within a week, mainly because I didn't get to drink enough of the previous bottle... This one was strictly for Mrs L and I! Tight and unyielding at first pour, the wine opened up considerably after an hour. Strong wafts of cedar and creme de cassis filled the nose, with mineral and floral notes floating gently in the background. Tannins are nicely resolved in this elegant, medium-bodied wine. While it doesn't quite match the top 1990 wines in terms of complexity and opulence, I think it more than holds its own as a stand-alone example of finely crafted Bordeaux sitting in the prime of its drinking window.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/23/2013 - ilee Likes this wine: 93 Points
Opened next to a 1982 Ch Margaux, this had a noticeably quieter nose but the cassis, lead pencil shavings and cedar were classic Pauillac. Medium bodied and fully mature, this elegant wine is drinking beautifully.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2013 - MrBrege wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for 1h. An unmistakable 1990. It has that delicious "floating" sweet currant flavour, elegantly balanced and long delicate finish. Yet there is something slightly fragile about it. Maybe on it's final legs, it feels like it could sour if you just spoke harshly to it... Terrific nonetheless
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/25/2013 - Domvboy wrote: flawed
Corked..
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/25/2013 - Ericsson wrote: 89 Points
Bouteille et bouchon parfaits, niveau juste au-dessus du goulot, le vin était dans ma cave depuis 20 ans. Couleur grenat assez sombre, quelques petites traces d'évolution. Nez discret de thé noir, légèrement poussiéreux, s'améliorant rapidement à l'aération. Attaque en bouche d'abord âpre, puis la douceur arrive (prunes) et finalement les tanins malheureusement encore astringents (potage de légumes). Après passage en carafe, le vin accompagnait parfaitement le rumpsteack, il pouvait rivaliser. Au final, après 2H, il s'exprimait pleinement et était très bon, mais la relative verdeur des tanins n'a jamais totalement disparu et il finit un peu court, ce qui m'empêche de donner un score plus élevé. A boire dans les 5 ans car il ne s'améliorera pas.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/24/2012 - RISM Likes this wine: 92 Points
Brick red (as one would expect). Tasted immediately upon opening and was somewhat insipid, but then decanted for 2-3 hours and improved with each glass over the course of the evening. Beautiful nose, a combination of musty fungi, black currant, caramel, saddle leather and gun flint. Palate, after 2+ hours of decanting, had grip and power, still some tannins present (surprisingly) - sandalwood notes, forest floor, some pepper, black currant. Full bodied and a long finish with just a hint of bitterness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/3/2012 - johnh1001 wrote: 94 Points
This bottle was better than the last. Decanted and drank over 3hours. Initial notes of smoke, graphite, some cassis and red and black fruit on the nose and palate. There was a bitterness on th finish at first, went away then came back towards the end. A nice sweetness of fruit developed. Sllky in the mouth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/27/2012 - kkazaks wrote: 75 Points
I can say this is lighter than typical Latours (of which I have been lucky enough to taste more than of the Les Forts), somewhat typical in body for a 1990 Paullaic, but aromatic and taste sensations are overwhelmed by brett. Some brett is fine but this is just overwhelming, hence the score. Evidently bottle variation, per other notes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/15/2012 - daegde wrote: 96 Points
The wine was crystal clear. The color, brick red. a claret in the true sense of the word. the nose hit all the classic notes, cedar ( or as some describe it pencil shavings and graphite), very mature fruit but certainly not over the hill. The wine was lighter and more feminine than I had expected. and the finish, a little short. Not as much sediment as I expected either.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/4/2012 - johnh1001 wrote: 92 Points
Double decanted and drank over 4 hours. Started out very silky, earth nose with wood and dark fruit. After about 2hours it did seem more tannic as the fruit fell off and then became a little bitter. This is in a good place right now, but I will drink my next bottle a little quicker. Medium finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/12/2011 - Nedder_travels_the_world wrote: 94 Points
tremendous balance and finesse. not as brick colored as some of the previous tasting notes. It was hard to distinguish it from the 05 vineyard 29 at a glance. heck of a wine, wish i had more than a glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/9/2010 - Veritas 53 wrote: 90 Points
Color: Bright, Dark Red, Clear.
Nose: Oak, Secondary Dark fruits, cassis, currents, leather,
Palate: Fantastic mature dark fruits, cassis current, old leather , oak sea salt full body
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/13/2010 - JamesTye wrote: 92 Points
Drunk alongside 90 Leoville Barton and 90 Troplong Mondot. Decanted 1 hour before serving. Brownish tinge and had the dullest colour of the trio. On the nose, a bit more funk then the others but unmistakeable Pauillac cigar box and leather. On the palate, it showed good deal more complexity with still that funk up front followed by cassis and well integrated tannins. As the evening wore on, the wine opened up far more on the finish and finished the evning showing very strongly. I had some of the Latour austerity and richness, but nothing like the tannin or complexity of the Grand Vin. Perhaps a few years too old, it showed very well against two top class wines. For 2 of my guests, it was the WOTN.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/16/2010 - Ho Bryan wrote: 95 Points
I can't praise this wine highly enough. While undoubtedly it lacks some of the purity and sustain of the big brother, it's very difficult to believe this is a second wine as the nose and palatte are unmistakable Latour. Therefore I am rating this wine very highly on points. Absolutely delicious, just a very satisfying wine. And a great chance to experience genuine Latour character at one quarter of the price of the Grand Vin and (relatively) excellent QPR. Fully mature now, but the tannins are still grippy and it should hold on well for another 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/31/2010 - acop wrote: 95 Points
still great after all these years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2010 - Nutty08 wrote: flawed
San Antonio Wine Geeks; 2/11/2010-2/12/2010 (Godai Sushi Bar and Restaurant): Initially was showing almost no fruit, was acidic and unpleasant. After a few hrs some funk had blown off and was showing a lengthy finish of cedar and mineral. Never showed much fruit and seems tired. I think an off bottle, 86 points otherwise.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/16/2009 - RiedelBeagle wrote: 92 Points
Still drinking well, but seems to be on the way down. Finish this one pretty soon, and don't decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2009 - FastTrack wrote: 92 Points
since community assumes that wine should have been drunken by 2006, I was impressed of the 1990's richness and it's still (surprisingly) round and concentrated flavors.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/10/2009 - BradE wrote:
Starting to show overly mature - good but would drink up if you have any.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/9/2008 - dream wrote: 91 Points
So soft and elegant and fully mature. Smells of sweet old tobacco and dried blackberries with a hint of peanuts. Goes down so smooth without much intensity and concentration but gorgeous balance and purity. Nothing quite like perfectly aged Bordeaux. Drink now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/10/2008 - ricknat1 wrote: 88 Points
This wine needs to be drunk earlier in its life. The 1996 drank very well to slightly young in 2008 but 1the 1990 saw its best time a few years ago
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/30/2007 - BradE wrote:
2nd bottle tonight. A big hit. Great nose, wonderful palate. I thought this wine was getting a bit long in the tooth, but these 2 bottles said otherwise.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/30/2007 - BradE wrote:
A big hit. Great nose, wonderful palate. I thought this wine was getting a bit long in the tooth, but these 2 bottles said otherwise.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/28/2007 - Pichon66 wrote: 90 Points
Decanted 90 minutes before serving. A delicious if not complex wine at this stage. Plum, currant with a hint of roasted potato (seriously!) Tannins are well integrated, still good color with slightest hint of amber edge. Medium body. Nose was short-lived when poured(perhaps decanting was a mistake?) A very nice wine, but drink soon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/14/2007 - Siggy wrote: 93 Points
Tasting Group Dinner (Craig's House): Wow, this had a very interesting nose of rice pudding and bread. Brad commented that it smelled "like Minnehaha Falls in the spring." Black fruits, smoke, plums, and pencil lead, with well-integrated tannins. Drinking very well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/14/2007 - Dave Dalluge wrote: 92 Points
Boxed In at Craig's (DRC, Leroy, Dugat-Py, Rousseau, Dujac, Kistler, d'Yquem and others): Popped and poured when the Pichon Lalande was deemed to be corked. The nose was surprisingly Latour-like. It was interesting to taste this beside the Cos, because they were very similar in weight and personality. This wine seemed a bit more open than the Cos, but also a bit more simple. An excellent back-up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/9/2007 - BradE wrote:
Performed well. Decanted for three hours, and was the better for it. Good wine, but my guess is it will not get better, and should be drunk over the next 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/24/2006 - BradE wrote:
Good wine. Needs a lot of time in the decanter.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/16/2004 - michaelgor wrote:
Home alone...wife at the office Xmas party.. broke out a bottle.. decanted only 1 hour:
pale golden red with some brown around the edges. Initially cigar box, pencil shavings, sweet
dark plum on the nose..later notes of ripe bing cherry preserves...sweet
Smooth, well integrated on the palate, but the mid-palate is somewhat weak...later (1 Hour)
showing notes of cedar and cigar.. long finish.. Still some harsh tannins
Overall, should be drunk in the next few years..92
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment