January 2, 2024 - No reason to not be enjoying the remaining bottles from my case. Every time I open this, I realize I need to drink more of it. Totally relaxed now, with a great sueded grip. The wine is still chameleon like, but with less colors. Starts right off the bat by throwing Bordeaux violets like a wine from Margaux, then it goes into the fruit laden spot, laden in jasmin and now barnyard scents that take you to CDP and then the coffee notes marry with graphite, brining you back to somewhere very pretty in Bordeaux, without revealing any distinct Pauiilac characters. I've loved this since day one...Drink!
PS* So good, I drank the whole bottle by myself.
July 24, 2023 - Soft, elegant, earthy and fabulous Bordeaux. Really in its pleasure zone for now and over next 3 to 5 years. But this is resolved and delicious. Lots of night flowers, violets and earthy clay with an undertone of cold brewed coffee. Drink
June 23, 2023 - Still 3 - 5 years away from maturing and this is Latour’s third wine! Don’t think the Grand Vin will be ready to drink for another 20 years. Deep ruby red color, decanted and let breathe for two hours then drank over an hour. Delicious earthiness on the nose, some crushed rocks, rich cassis, black currants and leather. On the palate quite powerful, a little austere, beautifully crafted, superb lift and acidity mid palate with lots dark fruits, leather and cassis, finishes long and spicy with tannins quite present but softened by the lovely and solid fruit.
September 23, 2022 - Quite extraordinary that this is a third wine. Blackish ruby red color, very concentrated and viscous. On the nose intense cassis, leather, earth, black currants. Decanted and aerated an hour. Quite evolved on the palate, not the brute power bit very present on all levels. Some secondary notes of spice and leather and a tannic but velvety finish.
September 12, 2022 - I think this has peaked! Its big, earthy, and delicious. Comes off soft and on the sweet side with melted tannins. Very elegant and French. Drink now and over 5 years for its best.
April 23, 2022 - PnP. Last bottle from a case, this has been fairly consistent since ‘12, time to move on to ‘15 vintage. Flowers and oyster shells on the nose. Some tannins are yet to be resolved but nothing bothersome. Decent length and complexity, finished with burnt tobacco, coffee, and oaks. Very Pauillac and very nice, still showing well and will continue to evolve, really no hurry to consume this.
January 31, 2022 - Was good but I guess I expected more
August 26, 2021 - Viscous blackish crimson color. Such concentration of color, nose and palate. And that's just the third wine! Lots of earth, ripe dark red and black fruits, olive tapenade, cassis and pepper, graphite on the nose fully reflected on a lush palate, solid backbone mid palate, great acidity and power and a long tannic finish with a bitter coffee finish. Definitely still years away so I can't imagine when Les Forts de Latour or the Grand Vin itself will be ready.
August 13, 2021 - PnP. Similar to previous notes, this is drinking well at the moment. Still some tannins around but nothing intrusive. Pencil shavings and burnt tobaccos, fairly typical Pauillac. Delicious as usual, unbelievable achievement by Latour to produce a 3rd wine this good.
March 5, 2021 - Initial pop, seems heavier than most Bordeaux; interesting mushroom finish mixed with tart fruit. much more fruit and complexity after an hour and half.