Lyn Farmer

9.4

Exceptional quality - beautiful balance of velvet tannin, lingering black cherry, plum, dried herbs and clove and emerging notes of forest floor and leather. A beautiful wine. — 2 days ago

Vanessa

9.5

Château Latour is an iconic estate in the Pauillac commune on the left bank of Bordeaux, achieving coveted ‘First Growth’ status in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.

The estate has roots dating back to the 14th century and derives its name ‘La Tour’ from a fortress tower built during the Hundred Years’ War, which no longer exists but is prominently featured on the label in recognition of its history.

We weren’t sure what to expect, as many have predicted these 1983s are likely past their prime, but this wine was a masterpiece. 🤩

It was medium garnet in color with expressive notes of cedar box, cigar, clove, peat, leather, forest floor, fig, prune, dried black cherry, plum, cassis, blackberry compote, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, dried violet, potpourri, kalamata olive, pencil shavings, graphite, & bacon fat.

It had the most velvety, fine-grained tannins that washed across the palate with ease, with a gentle but notable acidity that maintained lift and balance. It was concentrated, complex, and had a long, elegant finish. — 20 days ago

with Deked1

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Deep Ruby with pronounced aromas of ripe dark berry fruits and earthy forest floor notes, from this hot 2017 vintage. On the palate flavors of black cherry and plum with cacao, cedar, espresso and pepper spice. Fine soft tannins, great balance, complex long finish ending with earthy herbs, fruit and oaky notes. Nice! Small production, 850 cases made! — a year ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.9

One can’t really make Pinot better than this. The Buntsandstein aka - colored Sand Stone. Is really a benchmark wine. One can debate the the style but not really the quality. 2015 was a stand out vintage. This comes from old vines. The wine is alive and talks. Yes talks to you:… Kirsch, almonds, crushed marble, black forest thyme, hint orange zest, touch oregano, … this goes on and on as more flavors evolve with air. The wine will probably age another 5-10 years.
An experience really! But not for the middle of the road „ let’s have a Pinot drinker“ - they will be disappointed ☹️.

I think this will outlast the 15’ Muschelkalk from E&M which is more delicate. One of the main issues the wine is hard to come by. Sometimes only 3 barrels are made. Next day eucalyptus and dried figs. — 13 days ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.8

Dear Friends warning this wine needs 48 hours to open up! I kept it for that time under Argon!

Still think the 2015 Muschelkalk mights have peaked. I opened 3 bottles. The first was oxidized and the other 2 were good to world class. The cork on all three was quite soft.

The wine has this ethereal character but the twisty black forest herbs are somewhat gone. It is still great to drink - but to shine one needs stupido patience.

Calk, very faint cherry. (Collecting E&M since 2009. And have been at the winery every other year.).

If you have it you must really experiment and play around but also - drink it up! Not a wine for normal or sane people.
#Will check 2015 Bundsandstein and IDA next. — a month ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Happy New Year Delectable!

Double decant and pour. A splendid tawny red color. On the nose: dark fruit, cigar ash, cedar, smoked meat, pencil shavings, mint. Taste: soft, silky, elegant, still fresh wine with dark red fruit, worn leather, graphite, loamy soil, spiced herbs, minty black tea and a dry medium finish. YUM! What a fun wine to end 2024 with. A wine bought at auction, and a cork which was not in the best shape, so not sure if this is a true representation of where this wine is at.

FOOD:
Island creek oyster and cavier
Lobster butternut bisque
Pan roasted duck breast
Braised beef short rib
Black forest chocolate cake — 5 months ago

with Brenda

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This is 93-94 this young. I was a little surprised they slotted this last in the tasting. I would have led with it. However, it didn’t end up being our last wine. Leslie was kind enough to open another.

Both plums, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of dark berry cola, nice, soft baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanillin, grainy limestone, wet clay, dark, rich, forest floor, some dry herbs, excellent fresh & withering florals that are a combination of; dark, red, some blue and violets, nice round acidity, a smooth, elegant finish that softly structured, balanced and wire to wire smooth and elegant with a full minute finish.

Photos of; a pano of their stunning view of Pritchard Hill, Their dual sided wall of fame of bottles the staff at the estate have enjoyed and their tasting room table. They did an excellent job curating it. — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.3

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish/ brick rim.

Fruity nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate and complex.

Showing black currants, black plums, cherries, spices, dark chocolates, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs and light forest floor.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a fabulous 18 year old Cabernet Sauvignon based blend from Saint Julien. Rich and balanced. Elegant and fruit forward. Chocolaty and spicy.

This First wine from the 4th Growth is drinking beautifully now, and not showing that much age. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

I had the 2005 vintage not too long ago and this 2007 vintage is drinking better now. Well balanced and complex.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and will pair nicely with a big piece of steak too.

A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc.

13% alcohol by volume.

93 points

$130. — 19 days ago

"Odedi"

9.2

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby, almost Inky in color with a wide brick rim.

Nose of black and red fruits, tobacco leaf, light oak, earth, forest floor, light mildew, coffee, black tea, pencil lead, black chocolates and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with black plums, cooked cherries, currants, light wood, earth, herbs, light vegetables, tobacco leaf, black pepper, chocolates, vinaigrette and light green vegetables.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 17 year old Bordeaux is still drinking beautifully. Rich, with enough fruits to balance the earth notes.

I did not decant it, and let it open up in the bottle. Drinks nicely right out of the bottle, and much better after 3 hours of airtime.

A delicious second wine. Loved to see the low alcohol level.

I don't see it getting any better from this point, so if you have any, drink up.

I had it blind and called 2006 Left Bank Bordeaux. I'm happy with that call.

A great sipping wine. Well balanced, and good by itself.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Aged in French oak barrels for 12 months.

13% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$80. — 5 months ago

Tom Garland

9.3

+1 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark ruby red color. On the nose: Intoxicating/intense nose of black fruit, dark currants, worn leather, forest floor, coffee grounds, minty dark chocolate. Taste: smooth, satiny, structured, balanced wine with chocolate covered brambly blackberry, tobacco, earth, cedar, black pepper, and a herbal licorice long finish. A medium body old world style wine that shows well right now and should continue to provide more years of enjoyable sipping. — 7 months ago

with Brenda