October 30, 2023 - 13% alcohol. The long cork is of excellent quality, but there is a strange chemical smell from its inner side, something approaching nail varnish. Medium colour with significant thinning at the rim.
The nose is red fruited and appears free of chemical taint, but I cannot quite get the smell from the cork out of my nostrils. Light and lively in the mouth with good grip but little or no Pessac character. Plenty of refreshing menthol in the finish.
I normally like this wine very much, but this is a perplexing bottle.
January 23, 2021 - Opened to pair with some leftover Instant Pot beef stroganoff. Decanted for sediment and allowed to warm up from cellar temperature. A darker ruby robe not over-extracted, with thinning edges but no bricking. Combination of legs and sheets with swirling. The nose features cassis, blueberries, dark cherry/red plum, a bit of ash, smoke, and oak tannin spices. Medium bodied, juicy, integrated tannins, and well-balanced, along with a gravel-laced finish. Very enjoyable and a nice foil for the beef stroganoff. I must say, i've been delighted with the performance of our 2004 red Bordeaux, which was our first en primeur year, especially Prieure-Lichine.
November 4, 2019 - Drinking great now. This vintage doesn't have great depth, but the wine is elegant, has Pessac character, and beautiful length. Charming.
June 10, 2019 - 13% alcohol. Shortish cork with barely a mm of wine penetration. Decanted a good hour ahead. The colour is dark with noticeable fading at the edge of the rim.
The nose is both vivid and rich, with well integrated oak and ripe dark berries. The mouth is lively (oak much less perceptible) with some ripe bell pepper and a good acid kick in the finish. Very enjoyable now, but not fully rounded yet. Will achieve even more harmony in years to come. Pretty good value when I bought it, and even now.
PS: can people not read? The name is Latour-Martillac for Parker's sake!
February 17, 2018 - Actually, the name in the database is incorrect : it is Latour-Martillac, not La Tour-Martillac. Please correct.
!3% alcohol. Cork of average length and mediocre (or at least uneven) density, with penetration ranging from 5mm to 3 cm (along a vein). Not impressive for a Château of this standing. CS 63%, M 32%,PV 5%. Decanted for an hour.
Deep colour with no sign of ageing. The nose is enticing, with fresh berries and some confectionery developing over time. The mouth is fruity and elegant, with good grip and a light fresh feel. This is not a monster of concentration, and accordingly I do not expect it to garner plaudits from the usual suspects, but it is eminently food-friendly (lamb, what else). The oak is perfectly judged in that it does not show up directly, but there is no doubting its rôle in polishing the tannins.
Just entering its window of drinkability (for those not averse to some level of firmness), which should last for another fifteen years.
A repeat purchase.
August 4, 2016 - pop n pour
nose:wet leaves,hint of expresso,earth,tobacco,sweet spice,plum,black cherry
palate:lively,decnt depth n complexity.tertiary notes slightly dominant.need ait to gain weight
notes:redcurrrant,plum,sweet liqourice,sign of floral,ash
drink up.fruits slighty weak
April 6, 2016 - Monthly Tasting Group EEE #049; Bordeaux: Pessac-Léognan. (@ My place): Beautiful bouquet with dark forest fruits, vanilla, toast, graphite and meaty flavors. On the palate red and dark forest fruits, some licorice, vanilla, beautiful acidity and round tannin. Maturity stage now, but no hurry at all. This will still be lovely around 2018+.
March 12, 2016 - Same as my previous note. Love this classic Pessac Leognan. Just bought 2 cases: 12 of 2009 and 12 of 2010.... Curious how they compare...
January 30, 2016 - Dark ruby color, earth, brick followed by ripe black fruits. Medium body, long nice finish.
January 16, 2016 - The best !