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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 94 pts. and median of 94 pts. in 208 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Mark1npt on 4/17/2024 & rated 96 points: Mid garnet in the glass. Nose of perfume, red fruit and root beer?
Palate demonstrates great balance and backing acidity. Wish I had more descriptors but it's an easy 96 for me tonight. (989 views) | | | Tasted by KenCT on 4/7/2024 & rated 91 points: I decanted at 5 PM and it only began to integrate and soften around 10 PM. Big cedar on the nose, but tight on the palette. I can’t tell if this will improve with age or should just be given six hours to decant and drink (773 views) | | | Tasted by melvinyeowq on 2/2/2024 & rated 92 points: Bordeaux first-growth lunch: A serious, structured wine with the classic pencil lead marker of Pauillac. Fruit was a little roasted that made me think a warm vintage like '05. Clearly had more depth than the '03 HB alongside but this was so brooding that it was a rather difficult drink to me. (1667 views) | | | Tasted by Mjuste on 12/27/2023 & rated 84 points: Thin like water. No good and simply just a bad wine. (1884 views) | | | Tasted by Collector1855 on 12/12/2023 & rated 93 points: Salon Ficofi Paris walkabout tasting and dinner, no detailed tasting notes. From DMG. Relatively light on the palate, steict. (2522 views) | | | Tasted by def on 11/17/2023 & rated 94 points: many of the reviews a spot on. dark, dry, plenty of depth but still surprisingly young after resting for 22 years. Took a while to open but was exceptional. I look forward (if I have the patience) to perhaps opening one of these beauties each year over the next 11 years. (1662 views) | | | Tasted by Xavier Auerbach on 10/28/2023 & rated 95 points: Académie des Cinquante 67th Annual Dinner: Deep and brooding, closed even after six hours in the decanter, extremely youthful, crisp Cabernet, twenty years too young, immense minerally energy, layered and deep, everything in the right place, hint of evolution, very firm structure, grippy tannins, excellent length. A marathon runner. (2842 views) | | | Tasted by La Grappe on 9/30/2023 & rated 94 points: A fairly dark colour; the nose is rather muted, but the palate is full, with ripe blackcurrant fruit, quite pure and focussed, and with good length. Drinking well, but more time in bottle should add more complexity. Decanted for 2½ hours. (1754 views) | | | Tasted by JHSP on 8/17/2023 & rated 95 points: Really opened up the 2nd day - very complex nose, earthy and dark red fruit, hints of vanilla - vevilty and very long finish - many more years in it. Certainly needs 6-8 hrs decanting. Next btl in 5+ yrs (2115 views) | | | Tasted by O'Meara on 8/9/2023: Happy birthday to me. This is a lovely mature bordeaux with all the accoutrements. I double decanted for 30 minutes before drining over 3 hours. It opens with a bouquet of a mature estuary bordeaux and tell tale almond scent, as soon as you pull the cork. While clearly mature, the verve of the fruit is evident, so we are not at the absolute pinnacle. I think this still has a decade of development, although at this point, the improvement will be minimal from here on out. This is a lovely mature Latour, exhibiting its power albeit in a shy vintage. Drink now or over the next decade. (1900 views) | | | Tasted by Malarky997 on 6/12/2023 & rated 95 points: Beautiful (2414 views) | | | Tasted by dharrison93 on 6/10/2023 & rated 96 points: Enjoyed with friends at a restaurant after a brief decant. Fully mature with years of pleasure ahead.
Spectacular brooding nose of black fruit and red berries on a mocha stage. Deep with endless finish.
If a date, this was a 35-year-old Wall Street banker just entering her prime earning years at the top of the firm.
Terrific but not transcendent, with 15-20 years of pleasure ahead. (2077 views) | | | Tasted by Ben Christiansen on 5/23/2023: Well the smell is magically complex. Earthy, and red fruit, and savory and rather amazingly complex. (2263 views) | | | Tasted by Fuel55 on 4/29/2023 & rated 93 points: Deceptively light took a good hour to even show its Pauillac pedigree - enjoyed over 3 hours - lots of cedar and a touch of cigar (no pencil lead), vibrant acidity and largely mature red fruits. Lovely for sure but definitely one of the lightest young(ish) Latours I have had. (1939 views) | | | Tasted by alexbhurst1678 on 4/2/2023 & rated 97 points: Drank at dinner party courtesy of Cooper; really flourished after after thirty minutes; elegant finish; hints of dried fruits but not overwhelming. (2160 views) | | | Tasted by Elpaninaro on 2/18/2023: medium deep red color, starting to brick at the rim, mature cassis and cedar on the nose, a bit of austerity, on the palate velvety fruit, tannins largely resolved, oak spice, walnut and a bit of dried herbs, fine length, elegant and understated- a more austere and slightly bigger version of the excellent 1989, regal, relaxing, in a great place but with decades of life ahead and perhaps even a bit more development.
****, ready to drink with time in hand (1985 views) | | | Tasted by AllRed on 1/20/2023 & rated 95 points: Friday Night Brown Bagger (R&D's): Double blind. Aromas of leather, black fruit, tobacco and spice. Full-bodied, with flavors of plum, black fruit, cigar tobacco and dried herbs. Picks up a cedary element as it sits. Full-bodied, somewhat powerful, with a long finish. We are in the midst of a terrific flight of wines, wow. Another that I thought was an old school Napa cab blend. Flat out gorgeous, and not yet at peak. (R&D) (2675 views) | | | Tasted by soyhead on 1/14/2023: spicy, loads of dark fruit, and compared to the '96 somewhat unevolved. Though I quite enjoyed the fruit purity. Two Latour in one night, yikes! (2315 views) | | | Tasted by wineappellation on 12/26/2022 & rated 93 points: Decanted for 2 hours. Dried floral, mint, bellpepper, graphite, tobacco, blackcurrant, blackcherry. old leather, cedar and earth.
With just 13%abv, it is medium body, fresh and layered. Developing mushroom, undergrowth flavours noted. Not among the best vintages of Chateau Latour but definitely classy and good. (2244 views) | | | Tasted by t.c.green on 12/25/2022 & rated 96 points: Drinking very young, but a beautiful well balanced wine. Will easily go for another 20 years and stay youthful. Paired with prime roast beef perfectly. (1847 views) | | | Tasted by NarunP on 12/25/2022 & rated 93 points: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc
Dark core, reddish hue, compact rim. Fresh, though opaque with fine sediment.
Bouquet is layered with fresh blackberry, currant, red cherry, dried herb, forest floor, sauteed mushroom, smoke, still traces of charred cedary wood.
Palate is resolved. Medium acidity, medium body, dry. Lots of fresh dark fruits still. Blackberry, dark cherry, black olive, graphite, gunpowder. Quite lengthy on the finish.
Classy Latour that has just entered its peak drinkability. This is not a firework or a catchy love song. It is a ballad that soothes your soul. I had blockbusters before but this is as classy as it gets.
I popped the cork open and put it back before starting drinking 2 hours later.
93. (1743 views) | | | Tasted by streethawk on 12/17/2022: Forest floor, dried cherries, graphite on the nose. Very balanced and light on its feet on the palate. Terrific length. Not the most concentrated and dense, but for my taste this wine is outstanding. Plenty of life left. (1913 views) | | | Tasted by wa2ofd on 12/16/2022: I liked this wine. I decanted an hr and seemed plenty. Brought to a blind tasting and was paired with an 00 Figeac and an 89 Cheval Blanc. Group of 10 had 4 that favored the Latour over the others. Myself I found the Cheval best overall. Nose was a little austere and color seemed older than 21yrs. Still good fruit and intact but I wonder if this will be classically long lived. (1667 views) | | | Tasted by Francophile1 on 11/5/2022 & rated 95 points: Eight Decades of Decadence: For me, this was drinking the best I've had it over the course of my four tastings of the '01 Latour. This wine is really coming into its own and it confirms that "off vintages" in Bordeaux as not "off vintages", but just early maturing vintages. I may be dead before the 2010 Latour comes into its prime, but that's ok because I will gladly drink '01 in the meantime. So good and so Latour! Love it. Be sure to give it a proper decant. (2392 views) | | | Tasted by MC2 Wines on 9/7/2022: Acker Pre-Auction September 2022 (Redbury Lounge): I’ve yet to have my ‘moment’ with Latour and this was no different although to be fair people who are strong fans were also not really convinced. I’ve heard it said the ‘01 vintage was overshadowed by ‘00 but much better than it gets credit for and while I am a big fan in the Rhone haven’t had much in Bordeaux that makes me give credit to that theory. This was decent Bordeaux but given it’s price point it really should be excellent. (3251 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Charles Curtis MW
Decanter, Château Latour: vertical tasting (3/1/2022)
(Château Latour, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Charles Curtis MW
Decanter, Latour Vertical (3/1/2022)
(Château Latour, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Neal Martin
Vinous, Looking Backward/Looking Forward: 2000 vs 2001 Bordeaux (Sep 2021) (9/1/2021)
(Latour Latour Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jeb Dunnuck
JebDunnuck.com, Up From The Cellar #2 and Misc New Releases (2/15/2018)
(Chateau Latour) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Cellar Favorite: Château Latour – New Releases (Jul 2016) (7/1/2016)
(Latour Latour Grand Vin) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (3/1/2012)
(Ch Latour Pauillac Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (12/16/2011)
(Ch Latour Pauillac Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Gary Walsh
The WINEFRONT (6/4/2011)
(Chateau Latour) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (3/10/2011)
(Ch Latour Pauillac Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Kapon
Vintage Tastings, Latour at Latour (12/7/2009)
(Latour) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Rachel Shaughnessy
JancisRobinson.com (7/7/2009)
(Ch Latour Pauillac Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (2/13/2008)
(Ch Latour Pauillac Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (1/17/2008)
(Ch Latour Pauillac Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (1/5/2006)
(Ch Latour Pauillac Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Kapon
Vintage Tastings, The European Grand Jury, Vegas Style (1/16/2005)
(Latour) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Campbell Mattinson
The WINEFRONT (1/1/2005)
(Chateau Latour) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (3/28/2004)
(Ch Latour Pauillac Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, May/June 2003, IWC Issue #108
(Chateau Latour Pauillac) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, May/June 2002, IWC Issue #102
(Chateau Latour Pauillac) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (4/22/2002)
(Ch Latour Pauillac Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (4/12/2014)
(Château Latour Grand Vin) Black-tinged dark red violet color; cedar, tart black currant, tar, pencil lead nose; elegant, tasty, velvety textured, tart black currant, pencil lead palate with firm, sweet tannins; long finish 96 points | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (10/25/2003)
(Château Latour Grand Vin) Chateau Latour Vertical with Robert Parker and Latour's Frederic Engerer: Dark black red in color; intriguing, beautiful cassis and blackberry nose (with a little caramel showing after time in the glass); very elegant, mocha and blackberry entry, sweet tannins; coffee and pepper finish (still really nice after two hours) 96 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Decanter and Vinous and JebDunnuck.com and JancisRobinson.com and The WINEFRONT and Vintage Tastings and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Château Latour Producer website – Read more about Chateau Latour
Vineyard map
Classification: Premier Grand Cru Classé (First Growth) from the 1855 Bordeaux Classification
Owner: François Pinault since 1993
Manager: Frédéric Engerer
Address: 33250 Pauillac
Telephone: +33 5 56 73 19 80
Visits: By appointment only Monday to Friday, except on French public holidays, from 8.30 AM to 12.30 PM and from 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM
Vineyard: 78 hectares with the grand vin made exclusively from the 47 hectare l'Enclos vineyard surrounding the Château
Soil: Ancient Günzian gravel
Varietals: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot and 1% Petite Verdot
Density: 10,000 vines/hectare
Average Vine Age: 50 years
Average Yield: 45-50 hectoliters/hectare
Harvest: By hand, 100% destemmed
Fermentation: 3 weeks in temperature controlled stainless steel vats with malolatics occuring in vats
Ageing: 100% new oak for 18 months
Racking: Every 3 months and fined with egg whites the winter before bottling
Average Production: 180,000 bottles (55% of total)
Second Wine: Les Forts de Latour
Third Wine: Pauillac
Red Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.France Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)
Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings
2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.comBordeaux Bordeaux Wine Guide
Vins Bordeaux (Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux)
History of Bordeaux
History of 1855 Bordeaux Classification
"2009 is all about ripeness, with wines impressively packed with ripe fruit and high alcohol levels. They are showy, in-your-face, and full of pleasure. The 2010s have the fruit and alcohol levels of the 2009s, but with a compelling freshness on the finish that balances the fruit and provides a perfect sense of structure." - Ben Nelson
"2016 is a landmark vintage in certain spots of Bordeaux and it should be remembered as one of the most inspired campaigns of the last 40-50+ years." -Jon Rimmerman
"The quality of red Bordeaux in 2016 was universally lauded – although the response to the en primeur campaign was muted. Quantity was high too, with the equivalent of 770 million bottles of wine produced. An exceptionally dry summer with cool nights eventually, thanks to mid September rain, resulted in small, thick-skinned, ripe grapes, and the wines are marked by high tannin and acidity, with superb aromatic fragrance." - Jancis Robinson
"2017 was complicated, but there are some excellent wines. Expect plenty of freshness and drinkability from wines that will offer excellent value, and others that will rival 2016 in terms of ripeness and ageability. But they are likely to be the exception not the rule, making careful selection key." - Jane Anson
"In the past, a vintage such as 2022 may have been overripe, raisined and low in acidity but 2022 had a sneaky little reservoir in its back pocket - a near perfect marriage of cool/cold/rain the previous winter and the previous vintage that literally soaked the soils (a key to why 2022 is not 2003...or 1893)." - Jon RimmermanMédoc Vins du Médoc (Conseil des Vins du Médoc) - Read More about the Medoc
VdB
The eight precisely defined appellations of the whole of the Médoc (from Blanquefort Brook to the north of the Bordeaux built-up area, almost to the Pointe de Grave) may claim the Médoc appellation. But there is also a specific territory in the north of the peninsula which produces exclusively wines with this appellation. In the great majority, the Médocs come from the north of the peninsula. The great individuality of this region is that the number of vines has increased more recently here than elsewhere, apart from a few isolated spots where vines have grown for many years. Today, the size of the small estate has brought about the development of a powerful co-operative movement. Four co-operatives out of five belong to the group called Unimédoc which ensures aging, bottling and marketing a large proportion of their wines.Pauillac Read more detailed information about Pauillac Looking full onto the river from the earliest days, with an important port activity, traces of which go back to ancient times (shipment of bronze as long ago as 2000 B.C.), Pauillac's life has always been intimately linked to the history of wine. Although port activities were at the root of its prosperity, Pauillac had to wait until the eighteenth century when Bordeaux ceased to hold its privileged position to become a wine port. The town then became the natural outlet for the wine production of neighbouring cantons before reaching its zenith in a period when the vineyards were exceptionally prosperous.
The characteristic of the Pauillac terroir is its exceptional relief: the many undulating ridges make it unique morphologically speaking. Highly favourable conditions facilitate the dissection of the layer of gravel. This thin, Garonne gravel from whose very poverty springs great richness, has an extremely effective natural drainage.
With their velvet red colour with a hint of amber, the wines from the Pauillac appellation, full-bodied and rich in tannin, are vigorous. Powerful when young, their aromas of red fruits (black-currant, raspberry) or flowers (violets, roses, irises) melt with the passing of time into a bouquet which is long in the mouth.
Rich and complex, the wines of Pauillac deserve to be laid down for a little longer.
Production conditions (Decree dated November 14, 1936)
In order to have the right to the Pauillac appellation of controlled origin, red wines must:
- come from the commune of Pauillac and from precisely defined parcels in the communes of Cissac, Saint-Julien, Saint-Estèphe and Saint-Sauveur, "excluding the parcels situated on recent alluvium and sand on impermeable subsoils",
- satisfy precise production conditions : grape-varieties (Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet-Franc, Carmenère, Merlot Noir, Petit Verdot, Cot or Malbec), minimum of sugar (178 grammes - 6.27 oz. - per litre of must) degree (an acquired 10°5) base yield (45 hectolitres per hectare). |
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