A gorgeous looking Cruse bottle with top should fill. Amazing sweet vanilla and banana notes jump from the glass with a cloud of smoke underneath. The palate started thinner but built up quickly. Not as strict in detail and stature as the 59 but perhaps more sweet and fun right now. Just awesome.
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50th Birthday Bash: 10 Vintage Vertical of Latour: This bottle ranked #3 as Latour of the night only behind the '45 and '82. Another perfect expression of a fully mature Latour from a solid vintage. This 10 year vertical experience demonstrates that Chateau Latour is one of the most long lived wines from Bordeaux. The 1955 was still so vibrant.
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Purchased as part of Christie's mixed lot in 2002, opened 15 minutes then splash decanted, mid shoulder, soft cork which broke on extraction - mid ruby, bright, quite glossy, some amber in rim; notably nuanced nose, suitably aristocratic, usual flavours but developing some tar and fire notes more usual in Haut-Brion (indeed my dp guest identified it as such); fresh alive, and layered on palate, vv long and persistent, a marvel and essence of claret, can't imagine it becoming better, but no hint of imminent downside (indeed no fade over evening), 20+ years on this showing. VFI (19.5)........in many ways more interesting and complex today than the 1990 drunk alongside, though I fancy that the 90 will have the edge in 40 years!
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Like many Bordeaux from 1955, this was soft and round with no hard edges. Lovely fruit that hasn't faded nearly as much as you'd anticipate. Great bottle that held all night.
After one hour decanted, this brick red claret was clear with no brown on it's edge. The nose was soft with red fruit maybe some currents and dark berries. The body was medium full again with dark red fruit and currents. The finish was medium full. This wine has been stored in my cellar for >40 years and still has some life remaining.
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Wet earth jumps out of the glass. There are residual tannins keeping things fresh, but nothing drying. This wine starts off with graphite and wet fur. With time, the wet fur evolved into forest floor, cedar, and the modest fruit started to come alive, showing cassis, plum, and boysenberry. But the fruit was restrained even once it showed up. There's rustic quality here. After a short awkward phase after opening, this wine really started to come to life and shine. It's feral, earthy, and wet, but when the fruit show's up, it's balanced and very pleasant. This wine lacks a little depth you'd find in bigger vintages at this age, but it's tannins kept it alive and the tertiary flavors are interesting and fresh. Wonderful echos of all that on the finish. I loved this wine. Almost as good as a '59, but the volume is turned down in comparison.
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This wine had everything what you wish for in an old Pauillac. Wonderful Latour aromas of wet forest floor, dark fruit, oak spices, farmyard. The palate was soft and tame but not lame, just a pleasure to drink. Great when you see a 50 year old bottle in such good shape. Sublime!
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Double decanted before serving. Cassis, herbs, earth and tobacco on the nose. Palate was youthful and rich with layers of fruit. In midway, it showed hint of port-like richness which was mesmerizing. A very nice bottle.
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Upper shoulder but a moldy cork and moderately oxidized contents. A shame, because the Perigord truffle, cedar, treacle and biscuit base seemed really nice. Fate slapping our hand for going for claret after such wonderful Burgundies!
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The 1955 Latour was a great bottle. Iron, minerals, blood, cedar, power with finesse, super finish; evolves in the glass ... cigar box, truffle, spice box, black and white pepper. Very fine indeed.
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1955 First Growth Face Off (El Ideas): Rich black fruit aromas with a highly intriguing sour cherry note. The wine shows real breed throughout. Beguiling sweet dusty cherry flavors with serious depth. A hint of citrus rind adds unusual twist. Sleek, sophisticated, smooth, and with impressive ripeness. Just a bit of oxidative notes on the finish. Really shows textbook Latour.
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From a good looking bottle with a high shoulder fill, this wine had a very deep red center and orange rims. The medium+ intensity nose certainly developed as the wine aired. It showed vibrant cassis, mocha, tan spices, clove, minerals, caramel, and a hint of Provencal herb.
At first this wine was intense and earthy. After an hour or two it became very light weight in the mouth with more of a watery fruit orientation. I can definitely see how this wine, if a taster only had this wine open for an hour or two, would rate in the 88-90 point range. It was pretty uninspiring at this stage.
However, after 4+ hours in a decanter, the wine started building intensity in both its flavor and structural elements. All the interesting flavors evident in the nose started blossoming on my palate. Just as important, richness and power emerged, seemingly from nowhere. After 5 hours it displayed rounded tannin, firm acidity, and excellent length. An occasional hint of bitterness, behind the sweetness, held this wine back from an even higher score.
While presumably at its peak, this wine was going strong and will last for another 10+ years (when well stored). You have to love the consistent majesty of Latour!
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Mid shoulder fill. Rather mute on the nose even after 2 hours. It however improved on the palate. Pure and elegant. Definitely clinging on to the plateau of drinkability.
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Bordeaux Birthday Oldies; 2/10/2017-2/18/2017: Mid-shoulder fill bottle, murky color, some brown. Mellow from age, thin on the palate and tastes every bit of its 62 years and then some. Yet despite its weaknesses, it tastes almost sweet and surprisingly elegant. Unsurprisingly though, it faded in the glass. Better bottles have been more sturdy but not great.
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1950s Bordeaux tasting (Wine Watch, Fort Lauderdale, Florida): Clearly advanced and not the best bottle I've tried. Distinct aromas of acetaldehyde that overpowered many of the aromatics. Still there was some juniper berry in there, mixed with dried herbs and rose petals. On the palate, the acidity was quite high, leading to a tart finish. Tannins essentially resolved. This was certainly drinkable, but left much to be desired.
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Thrilling moment, we were thirteen persons that split the bottle. In my opinion the Margaux was better, it had more fruit left which hold the wine together better. This bottle (Latour) was over the edge, the wine was 61 year… It had some dark fruit (dark berry jam) and old spice cabinet. Im looking forward to try another bottle some time!
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Better nose than palate, although the latter improved with air time. A hint of greeness on the nose with herbs and white pepper notes. Perfumed with red rose petal and other floral notes. A steely and austere palate displayed some bell pepper but never fully opened over the course of 1.5 hours. 93-94
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Château Latour vertical tasting (1937 to 2003) ((Wine Watch, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida)): Showing its age, but quite charming. Obviously this wine is past its peak, but it's still quite drinkable. Dark plum, black currant, herbs, curry, barnyard, and leather. Subdued but quite elegant on the palate. Tannins have essentially resolved but there is still a nice mouthfeel and good balance on the palate. Impressive length on the finish. Good level of acidity to give this wine good freshness.
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Dried sour berries and earth. Medium finish. This bottle felt like it was starting fade and lacked the fullness of Latour. Tannins were well integrated and fine.
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A vibrant ruby-garnet, the 1955 Latour exhibits a perfumed bouquet of redcurrant, dried berries, cedar wood and walnuts. On the palate the wine is sweet, ripe and penetrating on the palate, with bright acids and melted tannins, but shows some signs of fragility after a few hours. A mature treat, but I imagine other bottles could be better.
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Perfect bottle and another in a string of great 55 first growths. Dark fruits, graphite and leather. This may be the most perfectly ready Latour besides the 29 I have tasted (which is my favorite Latour yet)
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White and black pepper, blackberry, clove, slight mustiness and black truffle, and dark caramel notes. The palate adds coal dust, old leather, black raspberry, nutmeg, cardamom. Not the equal of my last bottle, this lacked the intensity and finish of perfect examples. A classic mature Latour. 94-95
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Fantastic bottle, and certainly the best example that I have had. Dark spice, dark earth, dry porcini, dry leaves, light bell pepper, some sweet spice at the end and dry moss on the nose. A nice umami tinge to back of the nose. Very much alive fruit of black cherry and blackberry. Much of the same on the palate along with notes of graphite. The overall impression, and the predominant notes after all is over, is of spice, red and black fruit, and earth. 30 minute decant, then consumed over 1.5 hours. Had half the bottle with roast chicken but the balance was great on its own.
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I wanted to like this generous CNY offering much more than I did. Maybe it will appeal to all those necrophiliacs out there, but this wine, which had perfect provenance, really had little to recommend it. Some decaying wood, little fruit, good length, but at the end of the day, simply a wine 10-15 years past it's prime. As they say, no great old wines, only great old bottles. Given this has absolutely perfect provenance, any purchase of this wine would be, in my opinion, a very expensive gamble. To be honest, my score of 91 is very much influenced by the wine's label and age.
Not sure if this was the best bottle of this wine but the fruit is quite sweet and compelling with excellent intensity and fine tannins. Very mature with notes of decaying wood, soy and black spices. Quite layered and silky but lacked the precision and class of the two '61 second growths tasted alongside. 93?
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I bought on release ( price on the bottle $33.95). Cedar, tobacco, spice, herbs and dark fruits on the nose. Lots of depth and fruit on the palate. Still quite alive and well. This is really in the pocket for drinking now. Loved it and my favorite of the flight.
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A nose of mature Pauillac. Graphite, wet bricks and, with the progression to fully secondary and tertiary character. Poised, structured, and very long. beautiful if a little bit on the downhill slide. A pleasure to drink. beautiful. 93pts
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Had in a drunken amazing week in Chamonix, France at Andy's house. Talk about embarassment of riches. This was tasted not too long before and after some amazing other very old first growths. While definitely fully mature, there was a bit of fruit left. Of course the tertiary flavors far dominated. Just a truly great old Bordeaux that I could never buy on my own and will never have again.
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Paris Club dinner with JK (Chicago): Much more advanced than the other bottles. Not sure if it was the vintage or storage. Nice old dark fruit, coffee, smoke and touch of mint on the palate. Medium finish.
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Fully mature, the wine opens with a spicy, smoky nose complicated by tobacco, cigar box, cassis and cedar wood. The tannins have a bit old school rusticity in the texture. The wine ends with crisp red fruits, herbs, earth and spice. I understand holding the wine for a birthyear or anniversary. But if you are not waiting for specific date, if you own a bottle, I would drink it, instead of aging it longer.
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Latour Vertical Tasting; 12/19/2013-12/20/2013 (Switzerland): Out of Magnum: Initially the wine showed nice flavors of red berries and tobacco, which after 30 minutes unfortunately turned into lavage notes. Tasting the wine was similar, showing nice sweetness in the beginning (Honey, red berries) but soon turned into dry tannins. This wine is past its prime.
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The first thing that gets you is the color - a translucent red, more like a young Nerello Mascalese than anything Cab-based that I'd ever seen. Clear as a bell, too - we agreed egg-white fining was likely responsible. The nose is as alive as the color, offering up red cherry, cedar, red and black fruits and a morning-after campfire note that added keen interest. The word ethereal was mentioned more than once - on the nose, and palate. Almost Burgundian, some said. Provenance was not a concern, as this had been held since release in the same dark, cool, passive cellar near Santa Barbara since release. This didn't have quite the acids that the '47 Ausone had, so in effect, this showed more fruits - pomegranate, plum, cherry, soy, grilled red fruits, etc. The finish was both elegant and persistent. All agreed it was an outstanding showing, exceeding expectations. FWIW, the fully saturated, gnarly-looking cork came out cleanly with an Ah-So, and after 30 minutes in decanter, this was ready to go.
Story is, last night at passover I was passed a glass of wine to sip. It was still early in the dinner, everyone was drinking white, except for this one glass. I was told "I think it's past its prime," before it was drank.
What I smelled-- lots of smoke, even liquid smoke, wet dog, and prune. Some oxidative smells, and a bit of raisin (more generously, prune.) On the palette, the acidity was quite intense, and there were flavors reminiscent of balsamic vinegar, although the wine was well structured. Very mild but present tannin, and a medium finish.
I was told the wine was 1955 Ch Latour! I went to see the bottle-- lo and behold, it was. I drank a glass, but my opinion of it didn't change, and I didn't take notes.
Was I not properly present for my first First Growth? Maybe we, unaccustomed to drinking this level and age of Bordeaux, didn't know it was in prime condition? Or was the wine actually a little gone? I'm not sure if anyone can answer that, and hopefully I can piece together some of its storage history.
And another question-- is it fake? Feels awful to ask, but the label is just slightly different from the picture posted here. THe main difference is the font of the vintage.
BZ was kind enough to open this for those of us working on Thanksgiving. It came from questionable conditions- storage unknown for many years, into the hands of a daughter at her fathers passing. In very good shape. Faded brick in color. Deep nose of lead pencil, darker and red fruits, wet dog. Still good acid and fruit. Very present in glass, and grew over the time it was opened. Long finish, a wine of unique depth and complexity. Sadly, I will most likely never see it again. The wine looks Rosy colored. It smells like Blackberry, Raspberry, Black currant (cassis), Strawberry Jam, Mineral, Forest floor, Light toast, Lead Pencil, Stoniness, Violet, Rose, Tea, Tobacco, Game, and Wet Dog. The body is Medium/Full. The wine has Satin-like texture. The wine finishes Long.
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2012 - Old: En Jeroboam. This has to be the most powerful, vibrant wine for the night. It has all the classic bouquet of a Pauillac, all mold together impeccably and seductively: cedar, pencil shaving, dried flower, crushed rock, blackcurrant and some dried dark fruits as well. It is broad, large scale, weighty with unbelievable intensity and inner power that quickly coated and numb the mouth. There are still some fine tannin kick in after the mid palate for better grip but there is sufficient of crunchy black fruits give it the right balance and able to develop more in the bottle. Everything is in a total harmony, power without weight. There is this seductive cedar and spice box inner perfume waving in the mouth from the entry to the incredibly long, ethereal finish. Oh my!
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From a bottle with a top shoulder fill, branded cork, and unblemished capsule. Poured directly from bottle and did not decant. Unbelievably youthful for a 57 year old beauty! Fruit is well integrated, but do I dare say it is drinking at its peak right now? Hints of velvety chocolate and blueberries. There is a definite floral nose and hint of roses is a fair assessment. This wine did not fade for 4 hours, and a well stored bottle should drink well for at least another 20-30 years.
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This was a surprise for Eric as this is his birth year. I was bit concerned with the cork crumbling but was able to get the bottom of the cork out whole. As they say, there are only great bottles...and we scored big time! Not a George Clinton kinda wine. The nose was fresh, dense and pure. Old Barolo-like with tar and roses in the nose. We opened this first as i was afraid it may fade quickly. Not a chance. Improved all night.
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If I were to drink this wine blind, and know nothing about it, I'd say that this was a great, heavy rose. And that's the 92 points.
Now, this is a Bordeaux, aged and old, mid-shoulder. It doesn't TASTE like Bordeaux. It smells like Bordeaux. Its met with some oxygen, but I wouldn't say its "maderized", I wouldn't say its over the heal... its just very different to any Bordeaux I've drunk before.
An experience.
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This bottle had great fill and a solid branded cork, the wine was bright and still had a deep ruby red core. The nose was remarkably fresh, with a solid mix of red fruits, saddle leather and pencil lead eminating from the glass. On the palate everything was in perfect balance, deep red cherries, fresh acidity, still present, though well integrated, tannins, a lively wine. This was a far better bottle than the one at the Acker 1955 tasting at Le Bernadin five years ago. Easily one of the best bottles of bordeaux I have ever had the pleasure of drinking, wow!
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Magnum's from1955 to celebrate my 55th birthday (Charlie Trotter's, Chicago IL): The Latour was laser pure with a fresh nose of fruit, leather, and subtle lead pncil. The mouthfeel was strong and tannins still well integrated. I loved the nose of the Ausone and the whole experience of the Latour. Two wines I will never forget.
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Saturday Tasting Group (Knightsbridge Wine Shop (Northbrook, IL)): Ruby with some medium light brown around the rim. Dark cherry on the nose with some cardboard and must that eventually blew off. Enjoyable light mocha powder and light roast coffee on the palate with more dark cherries, cassis and leather. Lots of focused acidity with tannins that are still alive, but have been perfectly integrated into the juice. Nice showing of oak too. Honored to taste this wine. Excellent Latour with a good five years still in the oven but it's ready to drink now.
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Muted nose - smells like cardboard (not in a corked way) with red fruit undertones. Trades characteristic Latour power for a more graceful, refined style. Red fruit and cedar notes. Patrician, classy wine. Well resolved and ready to go, but not cracking up. Very nice.
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Ready to drink, pure and expressive, soft elegant almost Burgundian (why I enjoyed it). Beautiful fruit, walnut, cedar, and a hint of menthol. My 3rd time with the wine. First was from 375, which was great, and I had the same experience with two 750s
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Dinner at Domaine de Chevlaier. This was brought in magnum brought by Frederic. WOW! Such a delicious wine. Full Latour nose, but a little subdued. Almost Margaux like in character. This is a more feminine Latour than bigger vintages. Lovely though and Ièm looking for some as I type!!!!!!! Thanks Frederic!!!!
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It was a fascinating exercise to taste this 50 year old along side the younger duo of '61 and '70. The color was full and this was actually the most aromatic of the three, with elements of cinnamon cedar, tar and smoke. While the attack was positive and the mid-palate full enough, the finish was disappointingly abrupt and acidic. By no means fading, this was possibly not an ideal example of the '55 Latour, but it's unlikely I'll have a chance to find out.
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HS offline Deep purple, with slight browning. The nose gives oxidised sherry, which is off-putting. However, none of this is apparant on the palate, which reveals a full, big, rich (fruity), delicious, refined and complex wine. It has a freshness to it, both in the colour and the taste. The finish is long, fresh and satisfying. It's far from over the hill after 50 years. A very enjoyable experience. exc
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Double decanted around 1 1/2 hours before serving. Capsule corroded into the top of the cork. Managed to remove most of cork before having to cut the rest out and then sieve out the remainder through double decanting. Level was around mid to low shoulder before opening.
Powerful, somewhat heavy nose. Very dark, deep colour. Wow, what sweet, sweet fruit in the mouth. Real depth of sweet fruit. Oh, did I mention the sweet fruit? Still plenty of tannin to give it structure, depth and grip but it's oh so sweet (again!). Left some in the glass to see how it would hold up/develop. Unfortunately, totally collapsed when I went back to it (approx 3 hours after initial opening/decanting) - biting vinegar. Still, a great wine for the first 2 hours!!
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Interesting wine. Amber. Has lost a lot of color. Complex nose. A little roasted and hard yet still a hint of sweetness. Still powerful. Too rustic to be considered great.
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2/24/2024 - johnh1001 wrote: 96 Points
A gorgeous looking Cruse bottle with top should fill. Amazing sweet vanilla and banana notes jump from the glass with a cloud of smoke underneath. The palate started thinner but built up quickly. Not as strict in detail and stature as the 59 but perhaps more sweet and fun right now. Just awesome.
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12/1/2023 - Francophile1 Likes this wine:
50th Birthday Bash: 10 Vintage Vertical of Latour: This bottle ranked #3 as Latour of the night only behind the '45 and '82. Another perfect expression of a fully mature Latour from a solid vintage. This 10 year vertical experience demonstrates that Chateau Latour is one of the most long lived wines from Bordeaux. The 1955 was still so vibrant.
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10/16/2023 - fcxj wrote: 94 Points
Impressively clean, black fruit aromatics. Palate feels 30 years younger.
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7/14/2023 - liber Likes this wine: 98 Points
Purchased as part of Christie's mixed lot in 2002, opened 15 minutes then splash decanted, mid shoulder, soft cork which broke on extraction - mid ruby, bright, quite glossy, some amber in rim; notably nuanced nose, suitably aristocratic, usual flavours but developing some tar and fire notes more usual in Haut-Brion (indeed my dp guest identified it as such); fresh alive, and layered on palate, vv long and persistent, a marvel and essence of claret, can't imagine it becoming better, but no hint of imminent downside (indeed no fade over evening), 20+ years on this showing. VFI (19.5)........in many ways more interesting and complex today than the 1990 drunk alongside, though I fancy that the 90 will have the edge in 40 years!
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9/1/2022 - BradE wrote:
Like many Bordeaux from 1955, this was soft and round with no hard edges. Lovely fruit that hasn't faded nearly as much as you'd anticipate. Great bottle that held all night.
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12/31/2021 - potates Likes this wine: 92 Points
After one hour decanted, this brick red claret was clear with no brown on it's edge. The nose was soft with red fruit maybe some currents and dark berries. The body was medium full again with dark red fruit and currents. The finish was medium full. This wine has been stored in my cellar for >40 years and still has some life remaining.
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12/26/2021 - misterstarre Likes this wine: 96 Points
Wet earth jumps out of the glass. There are residual tannins keeping things fresh, but nothing drying. This wine starts off with graphite and wet fur. With time, the wet fur evolved into forest floor, cedar, and the modest fruit started to come alive, showing cassis, plum, and boysenberry. But the fruit was restrained even once it showed up. There's rustic quality here. After a short awkward phase after opening, this wine really started to come to life and shine. It's feral, earthy, and wet, but when the fruit show's up, it's balanced and very pleasant. This wine lacks a little depth you'd find in bigger vintages at this age, but it's tannins kept it alive and the tertiary flavors are interesting and fresh. Wonderful echos of all that on the finish. I loved this wine. Almost as good as a '59, but the volume is turned down in comparison.
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6/30/2021 - Burgundy Al wrote:
A Multi Birthday Celebration (Tocco - Winnetka IL): In vertical. Completely past its peak, little enjoyment left.
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3/20/2021 - Collector1855 wrote: 99 Points
This wine had everything what you wish for in an old Pauillac. Wonderful Latour aromas of wet forest floor, dark fruit, oak spices, farmyard. The palate was soft and tame but not lame, just a pleasure to drink. Great when you see a 50 year old bottle in such good shape. Sublime!
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11/23/2020 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 93 Points
Distinctive Latour nose. Slightly advancing palate. 93-
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8/9/2020 - ashaley Likes this wine: 96 Points
Still untamed, with tannins and acid aplenty. Bouquet of cedar and violets.
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7/8/2020 - hprphf wrote: 94 Points
Bordeaux Left Bank First Growth BYO (Grand Hyatt Hong Kong): Blind. Classic nose. Firm concentration, black fruit, subtle brown sugar sweetness, even oyster. The balance is graceful and undertoned. 94-95
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5/17/2020 - doug374 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Aged gracefully, flavors of mushroom, violets, and well blended dark fruits.
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12/30/2019 - Burgnick Likes this wine: 94 Points
Double decanted before serving. Cassis, herbs, earth and tobacco on the nose. Palate was youthful and rich with layers of fruit. In midway, it showed hint of port-like richness which was mesmerizing. A very nice bottle.
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11/22/2019 - Kepos Likes this wine: 97 Points
Fantastic wine, I would have never guessed that it was 1955, super balanced, still some very smooth tannins, red berries, really long, outstanding
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5/27/2019 - englishman's claret wrote: flawed
Upper shoulder but a moldy cork and moderately oxidized contents. A shame, because the Perigord truffle, cedar, treacle and biscuit base seemed really nice. Fate slapping our hand for going for claret after such wonderful Burgundies!
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3/16/2019 - Sean Tay wrote:
Cooked black fruits, tobacco, smoke, earth, spices. I had tried a 1955 Ducru Beaucaillou as well and it equally outstanding too.
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2/1/2019 - Comte Flaneur wrote: 95 Points
The 1955 Latour was a great bottle. Iron, minerals, blood, cedar, power with finesse, super finish; evolves in the glass ... cigar box, truffle, spice box, black and white pepper. Very fine indeed.
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4/22/2018 - fcxj wrote: 92 Points
Enjoyable.
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9/25/2017 - KenK Likes this wine: 95 Points
1955 First Growth Face Off (El Ideas): Rich black fruit aromas with a highly intriguing sour cherry note. The wine shows real breed throughout. Beguiling sweet dusty cherry flavors with serious depth. A hint of citrus rind adds unusual twist. Sleek, sophisticated, smooth, and with impressive ripeness. Just a bit of oxidative notes on the finish. Really shows textbook Latour.
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9/25/2017 - jlgnml Likes this wine: 95 Points
Epic 1955 First Growth Tasting with Petrus and La Mission HB (EL Ideas Chicago, IL): Great color, awesome, rockstar
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8/13/2017 - fclarity wrote: 96 Points
From a good looking bottle with a high shoulder fill, this wine had a very deep red center and orange rims. The medium+ intensity nose certainly developed as the wine aired. It showed vibrant cassis, mocha, tan spices, clove, minerals, caramel, and a hint of Provencal herb.
At first this wine was intense and earthy. After an hour or two it became very light weight in the mouth with more of a watery fruit orientation. I can definitely see how this wine, if a taster only had this wine open for an hour or two, would rate in the 88-90 point range. It was pretty uninspiring at this stage.
However, after 4+ hours in a decanter, the wine started building intensity in both its flavor and structural elements. All the interesting flavors evident in the nose started blossoming on my palate. Just as important, richness and power emerged, seemingly from nowhere. After 5 hours it displayed rounded tannin, firm acidity, and excellent length. An occasional hint of bitterness, behind the sweetness, held this wine back from an even higher score.
While presumably at its peak, this wine was going strong and will last for another 10+ years (when well stored). You have to love the consistent majesty of Latour!
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4/22/2017 - NarunP wrote: 88 Points
Mid shoulder fill. Rather mute on the nose even after 2 hours. It however improved on the palate. Pure and elegant. Definitely clinging on to the plateau of drinkability.
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2/10/2017 - sdr Likes this wine: 88 Points
Bordeaux Birthday Oldies; 2/10/2017-2/18/2017: Mid-shoulder fill bottle, murky color, some brown. Mellow from age, thin on the palate and tastes every bit of its 62 years and then some. Yet despite its weaknesses, it tastes almost sweet and surprisingly elegant. Unsurprisingly though, it faded in the glass. Better bottles have been more sturdy but not great.
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2/9/2017 - DrinkBordeaux wrote: 87 Points
1950s Bordeaux tasting (Wine Watch, Fort Lauderdale, Florida): Clearly advanced and not the best bottle I've tried. Distinct aromas of acetaldehyde that overpowered many of the aromatics. Still there was some juniper berry in there, mixed with dried herbs and rose petals. On the palate, the acidity was quite high, leading to a tart finish. Tannins essentially resolved. This was certainly drinkable, but left much to be desired.
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12/10/2016 - ANIMISMUS wrote:
Thrilling moment, we were thirteen persons that split the bottle. In my opinion the Margaux was better, it had more fruit left which hold the wine together better. This bottle (Latour) was over the edge, the wine was 61 year… It had some dark fruit (dark berry jam) and old spice cabinet. Im looking forward to try another bottle some time!
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12/9/2016 - SlimShaney Likes this wine: 97 Points
Good deep colour. Heady nose.
This is amazing for its age. I am astonished! I didn't truly believe wine was sensuously (not just intellectually) pleasurable at this age.
This is completely and utterly drinkable. And beautiful.
Polished, restrained, harmonized purple berry magic.
Gorgeous.
My favourite Latour.
Now I just need to wait 50 years to drink my other Latour's. I've got time... I hope.
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10/19/2016 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 93 Points
Better nose than palate, although the latter improved with air time. A hint of greeness on the nose with herbs and white pepper notes. Perfumed with red rose petal and other floral notes. A steely and austere palate displayed some bell pepper but never fully opened over the course of 1.5 hours. 93-94
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9/23/2016 - DrinkBordeaux wrote: 93 Points
Château Latour vertical tasting (1937 to 2003) ((Wine Watch, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida)): Showing its age, but quite charming. Obviously this wine is past its peak, but it's still quite drinkable. Dark plum, black currant, herbs, curry, barnyard, and leather. Subdued but quite elegant on the palate. Tannins have essentially resolved but there is still a nice mouthfeel and good balance on the palate. Impressive length on the finish. Good level of acidity to give this wine good freshness.
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7/31/2016 - EddyK Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dried sour berries and earth. Medium finish. This bottle felt like it was starting fade and lacked the fullness of Latour. Tannins were well integrated and fine.
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12/13/2015 - William Kelley Likes this wine: 93 Points
A vibrant ruby-garnet, the 1955 Latour exhibits a perfumed bouquet of redcurrant, dried berries, cedar wood and walnuts. On the palate the wine is sweet, ripe and penetrating on the palate, with bright acids and melted tannins, but shows some signs of fragility after a few hours. A mature treat, but I imagine other bottles could be better.
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11/24/2015 - tinybubbles wrote: flawed
Mid shoulder fill and a slightly off palate.
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9/23/2015 - ricknat1 Likes this wine: 97 Points
Perfect bottle and another in a string of great 55 first growths. Dark fruits, graphite and leather. This may be the most perfectly ready Latour besides the 29 I have tasted (which is my favorite Latour yet)
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9/2/2015 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 94 Points
White and black pepper, blackberry, clove, slight mustiness and black truffle, and dark caramel notes. The palate adds coal dust, old leather, black raspberry, nutmeg, cardamom. Not the equal of my last bottle, this lacked the intensity and finish of perfect examples. A classic mature Latour. 94-95
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8/12/2015 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 95 Points
Fantastic bottle, and certainly the best example that I have had. Dark spice, dark earth, dry porcini, dry leaves, light bell pepper, some sweet spice at the end and dry moss on the nose. A nice umami tinge to back of the nose. Very much alive fruit of black cherry and blackberry. Much of the same on the palate along with notes of graphite. The overall impression, and the predominant notes after all is over, is of spice, red and black fruit, and earth. 30 minute decant, then consumed over 1.5 hours. Had half the bottle with roast chicken but the balance was great on its own.
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2/18/2015 - felixp Likes this wine: 91 Points
I wanted to like this generous CNY offering much more than I did. Maybe it will appeal to all those necrophiliacs out there, but this wine, which had perfect provenance, really had little to recommend it. Some decaying wood, little fruit, good length, but at the end of the day, simply a wine 10-15 years past it's prime. As they say, no great old wines, only great old bottles. Given this has absolutely perfect provenance, any purchase of this wine would be, in my opinion, a very expensive gamble.
To be honest, my score of 91 is very much influenced by the wine's label and age.
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12/11/2014 - dream Likes this wine: 93 Points
Not sure if this was the best bottle of this wine but the fruit is quite sweet and compelling with excellent intensity and fine tannins. Very mature with notes of decaying wood, soy and black spices. Quite layered and silky but lacked the precision and class of the two '61 second growths tasted alongside. 93?
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7/12/2014 - rnellans wrote: 93 Points
I bought on release ( price on the bottle $33.95). Cedar, tobacco, spice, herbs and dark fruits on the nose. Lots of depth and fruit on the palate. Still quite alive and well. This is really in the pocket for drinking now. Loved it and my favorite of the flight.
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7/12/2014 - cct wrote: 93 Points
A nose of mature Pauillac. Graphite, wet bricks and, with the progression to fully secondary and tertiary character. Poised, structured, and very long. beautiful if a little bit on the downhill slide. A pleasure to drink. beautiful. 93pts
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5/21/2014 - jeffreylubowski Likes this wine: 94 Points
Had in a drunken amazing week in Chamonix, France at Andy's house. Talk about embarassment of riches. This was tasted not too long before and after some amazing other very old first growths. While definitely fully mature, there was a bit of fruit left. Of course the tertiary flavors far dominated. Just a truly great old Bordeaux that I could never buy on my own and will never have again.
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4/6/2014 - johnh1001 wrote: 91 Points
Paris Club dinner with JK (Chicago): Much more advanced than the other bottles. Not sure if it was the vintage or storage. Nice old dark fruit, coffee, smoke and touch of mint on the palate. Medium finish.
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4/3/2014 - Burgundy Al wrote:
Eight (Not Angry) Men Drinking Great Wine (Paris Club - Chicago IL): Slightly more mature than the 53 and 59 also in the flight. Good intensity, cigar, lingering fruit. Very enjoyable.
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2/13/2014 - Jeff Leve wrote: 92 Points
Fully mature, the wine opens with a spicy, smoky nose complicated by tobacco, cigar box, cassis and cedar wood. The tannins have a bit old school rusticity in the texture. The wine ends with crisp red fruits, herbs, earth and spice. I understand holding the wine for a birthyear or anniversary. But if you are not waiting for specific date, if you own a bottle, I would drink it, instead of aging it longer.
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12/19/2013 - Wine_lvr wrote: 91 Points
Latour Vertical Tasting; 12/19/2013-12/20/2013 (Switzerland): Out of Magnum: Initially the wine showed nice flavors of red berries and tobacco, which after 30 minutes unfortunately turned into lavage notes. Tasting the wine was similar, showing nice sweetness in the beginning (Honey, red berries) but soon turned into dry tannins. This wine is past its prime.
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11/8/2013 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
The first thing that gets you is the color - a translucent red, more like a young Nerello Mascalese than anything Cab-based that I'd ever seen. Clear as a bell, too - we agreed egg-white fining was likely responsible. The nose is as alive as the color, offering up red cherry, cedar, red and black fruits and a morning-after campfire note that added keen interest. The word ethereal was mentioned more than once - on the nose, and palate. Almost Burgundian, some said. Provenance was not a concern, as this had been held since release in the same dark, cool, passive cellar near Santa Barbara since release. This didn't have quite the acids that the '47 Ausone had, so in effect, this showed more fruits - pomegranate, plum, cherry, soy, grilled red fruits, etc. The finish was both elegant and persistent. All agreed it was an outstanding showing, exceeding expectations. FWIW, the fully saturated, gnarly-looking cork came out cleanly with an Ah-So, and after 30 minutes in decanter, this was ready to go.
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8/16/2013 - dcwino wrote: 97 Points
Bring something really good dinner – FGs, Pomerol, Y’quem, Leroy, Vogue, Dujac and etc. (The Grill Room at Capella Hotel Georgetown): What a wonderful surprise, definitely tasting like a 50+ year old wine showing a hint of VA that I love at this stage. Ripe dark fruits, dried blueberries, flowers, cassis, eucalyptus, cedar, lead pencil and earth. Intense and sweet palate, nice density, round, mouthful and long length. Pretty intense wine that will not improve but will remain at peak for a while if kept properly.
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3/27/2013 - The Nightly Glass wrote: flawed
Was it flawed?
Story is, last night at passover I was passed a glass of wine to sip. It was still early in the dinner, everyone was drinking white, except for this one glass. I was told "I think it's past its prime," before it was drank.
What I smelled-- lots of smoke, even liquid smoke, wet dog, and prune. Some oxidative smells, and a bit of raisin (more generously, prune.) On the palette, the acidity was quite intense, and there were flavors reminiscent of balsamic vinegar, although the wine was well structured. Very mild but present tannin, and a medium finish.
I was told the wine was 1955 Ch Latour! I went to see the bottle-- lo and behold, it was. I drank a glass, but my opinion of it didn't change, and I didn't take notes.
Was I not properly present for my first First Growth? Maybe we, unaccustomed to drinking this level and age of Bordeaux, didn't know it was in prime condition? Or was the wine actually a little gone? I'm not sure if anyone can answer that, and hopefully I can piece together some of its storage history.
And another question-- is it fake? Feels awful to ask, but the label is just slightly different from the picture posted here. THe main difference is the font of the vintage.
Thank you!
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11/27/2012 - arose13 Likes this wine: 95 Points
BZ was kind enough to open this for those of us working on Thanksgiving. It came from questionable conditions- storage unknown for many years, into the hands of a daughter at her fathers passing. In very good shape.
Faded brick in color. Deep nose of lead pencil, darker and red fruits, wet dog. Still good acid and fruit. Very present in glass, and grew over the time it was opened. Long finish, a wine of unique depth and complexity. Sadly, I will most likely never see it again.
The wine looks Rosy colored. It smells like Blackberry, Raspberry, Black currant (cassis), Strawberry Jam, Mineral, Forest floor, Light toast, Lead Pencil, Stoniness, Violet, Rose, Tea, Tobacco, Game, and Wet Dog. The body is Medium/Full. The wine has Satin-like texture. The wine finishes Long.
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9/26/2012 - Sleepy Dave wrote: 95 Points
2012 - Old: En Jeroboam. This has to be the most powerful, vibrant wine for the night. It has all the classic bouquet of a Pauillac, all mold together impeccably and seductively: cedar, pencil shaving, dried flower, crushed rock, blackcurrant and some dried dark fruits as well. It is broad, large scale, weighty with unbelievable intensity and inner power that quickly coated and numb the mouth. There are still some fine tannin kick in after the mid palate for better grip but there is sufficient of crunchy black fruits give it the right balance and able to develop more in the bottle. Everything is in a total harmony, power without weight. There is this seductive cedar and spice box inner perfume waving in the mouth from the entry to the incredibly long, ethereal finish. Oh my!
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6/24/2012 - mbwineguy wrote: 96 Points
From a bottle with a top shoulder fill, branded cork, and unblemished capsule. Poured directly from bottle and did not decant. Unbelievably youthful for a 57 year old beauty! Fruit is well integrated, but do I dare say it is drinking at its peak right now? Hints of velvety chocolate and blueberries. There is a definite floral nose and hint of roses is a fair assessment. This wine did not fade for 4 hours, and a well stored bottle should drink well for at least another 20-30 years.
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11/20/2011 - KellyW wrote: 97 Points
This was a surprise for Eric as this is his birth year. I was bit concerned with the cork crumbling but was able to get the bottom of the cork out whole. As they say, there are only great bottles...and we scored big time! Not a George Clinton kinda wine. The nose was fresh, dense and pure. Old Barolo-like with tar and roses in the nose. We opened this first as i was afraid it may fade quickly. Not a chance. Improved all night.
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8/13/2011 - kidsmurf2000 wrote: 92 Points
If I were to drink this wine blind, and know nothing about it, I'd say that this was a great, heavy rose. And that's the 92 points.
Now, this is a Bordeaux, aged and old, mid-shoulder. It doesn't TASTE like Bordeaux. It smells like Bordeaux. Its met with some oxygen, but I wouldn't say its "maderized", I wouldn't say its over the heal... its just very different to any Bordeaux I've drunk before.
An experience.
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11/20/2010 - salcorn wrote: flawed
Sweet, fruity, big, cat box, occasionally quite stinky; something wrong with this bottle, for sure
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7/1/2010 - paul195 Likes this wine: 98 Points
This bottle had great fill and a solid branded cork, the wine was bright and still had a deep ruby red core. The nose was remarkably fresh, with a solid mix of red fruits, saddle leather and pencil lead eminating from the glass. On the palate everything was in perfect balance, deep red cherries, fresh acidity, still present, though well integrated, tannins, a lively wine. This was a far better bottle than the one at the Acker 1955 tasting at Le Bernadin five years ago. Easily one of the best bottles of bordeaux I have ever had the pleasure of drinking, wow!
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6/4/2010 - jlgnml wrote: 100 Points
Magnum's from1955 to celebrate my 55th birthday (Charlie Trotter's, Chicago IL): The Latour was laser pure with a fresh nose of fruit, leather, and subtle lead pncil. The mouthfeel was strong and tannins still well integrated. I loved the nose of the Ausone and the whole experience of the Latour. Two wines I will never forget.
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6/6/2009 - beezer6 wrote: 94 Points
Saturday Tasting Group (Knightsbridge Wine Shop (Northbrook, IL)): Ruby with some medium light brown around the rim.
Dark cherry on the nose with some cardboard and must that eventually blew off.
Enjoyable light mocha powder and light roast coffee on the palate with more dark cherries, cassis and leather.
Lots of focused acidity with tannins that are still alive, but have been perfectly integrated into the juice.
Nice showing of oak too. Honored to taste this wine. Excellent Latour with a good five years still in the oven but it's ready to drink now.
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6/6/2009 - psmith wrote:
Muted nose - smells like cardboard (not in a corked way) with red fruit undertones. Trades characteristic Latour power for a more graceful, refined style. Red fruit and cedar notes. Patrician, classy wine. Well resolved and ready to go, but not cracking up. Very nice.
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12/17/2008 - Samantha wrote: 94 Points
Ready to drink, pure and expressive, soft elegant almost Burgundian (why I enjoyed it). Beautiful fruit, walnut, cedar, and a hint of menthol. My 3rd time with the wine. First was from 375, which was great, and I had the same experience with two 750s
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5/9/2008 - Totatalitarian wrote:
The '55 was a nice bottle, too, a bit mustier and less expressive than the '49, it might well have been a "wow" wine on its own.
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12/14/2006 - Rupert wrote: 93 Points
Chateau Latour Vertical (Bentley Hotel, London): Fresh nose, still very blackcurranty, plenty of sweet fruit, tannic, but lovely balance
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6/21/2006 - G SQUARED wrote: 94 Points
Dinner at Domaine de Chevlaier. This was brought in magnum brought by Frederic. WOW! Such a delicious wine. Full Latour nose, but a little subdued. Almost Margaux like in character. This is a more feminine Latour than bigger vintages. Lovely though and Ièm looking for some as I type!!!!!!! Thanks Frederic!!!!
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11/19/2005 - sdr wrote: 88 Points
It was a fascinating exercise to taste this 50 year old along side the younger duo of '61 and '70. The color was full and this was actually the most aromatic of the three, with elements of cinnamon cedar, tar and smoke. While the attack was positive and the mid-palate full enough, the finish was disappointingly abrupt and acidic. By no means fading, this was possibly not an ideal example of the '55 Latour, but it's unlikely I'll have a chance to find out.
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4/16/2005 - Jeff W wrote:
HS offline
Deep purple, with slight browning. The nose gives oxidised sherry, which is off-putting. However, none of this is apparant on the palate, which reveals a full, big, rich (fruity), delicious, refined and complex wine. It has a freshness to it, both in the colour and the taste. The finish is long, fresh and satisfying. It's far from over the hill after 50 years. A very enjoyable experience. exc
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4/14/2005 - DAN BAILEY wrote: 92 Points
Double decanted around 1 1/2 hours before serving. Capsule corroded into the top of the cork. Managed to remove most of cork before having to cut the rest out and then sieve out the remainder through double decanting. Level was around mid to low shoulder before opening.
Powerful, somewhat heavy nose. Very dark, deep colour. Wow, what sweet, sweet fruit in the mouth. Real depth of sweet fruit. Oh, did I mention the sweet fruit? Still plenty of tannin to give it structure, depth and grip but it's oh so sweet (again!). Left some in the glass to see how it would hold up/develop. Unfortunately, totally collapsed when I went back to it (approx 3 hours after initial opening/decanting) - biting vinegar. Still, a great wine for the first 2 hours!!
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3/22/2003 - Burgundy Al wrote: flawed
Wine tasting. Bottle not particularly in good condition. Short fruit, somewhat out of balance with way too much acidity, then bitterness on finish.
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9/1/1999 - sdr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Relatively soft and fragrant. Still a heavyweight though. Sweet finish. Amazingly good. Nineteen fifty-five is a very successful vintage for Latour.
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12/1/1997 - sdr wrote: flawed
Corked.
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12/1/1994 - sdr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Splendid. Classic mature Latour. Should hold at least another 5 years. Meaty yet aristocratic. As good as the ‘59?
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8/8/1992 - sdr wrote: 87 Points
Interesting wine. Amber. Has lost a lot of color. Complex nose. A little roasted and hard yet still a hint of sweetness. Still powerful. Too rustic to be considered great.
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5/19/1987 - sdr wrote: 84 Points
Well developed bouquet. Nicely perfumed. Some cinnamon. Not as rewarding on the palate. The fruit turns hard and bitter and finishes poorly.
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