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. — 5 days ago
Deep purple color. Aromas of raspberry, cherry cola and cedar. This one is still young and a little tight- definitely needs more time or decanting. Very good flavors of red fruit, spices and oak finish.
95.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.1% Merlot, 1.4% Cabernet Franc, 0.7% Petit Verdot, 0.6% Malbec
🏅94 Points- Decanter — 2 months ago
Double decant for sediment and pour. A splendid still dark tawny red color. On the nose: expressive notes of stewed blackberry/plum, worn leather, musty forest floor, truffles, mint. Taste: silky, elegant, savory wine with dried strawberries, leather, cedar, earth, and a peppery chocolate espresso medium plus finish. YUM! Still delivering like a champ at 45 years and glad to have a couple more bottles — 7 days ago
Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Nose of red and black fruits with light wood, tobacco and chocolate notes.
Dry on the palate with sweet raspberries, cherries, light oak, licorice, chocolates, spices and earth.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This young Grenache blend is starting to drink very nicely now, with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.
Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.
Elegant and rich. Interesting and engaging. A very traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape in style.
Well balanced and good by itself as a sipping wine. Will also pair nicely with food.
A blend of all 13 allowed grapes in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but mostly Grenache. Hand picked and whole cluster. Aged for 2 years in large French oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$110. — a month ago
Dark red-purple color with faint orange on the rim, rich, deep currants and cassis, great acidity highlights the crispness and freshness in the nearly 40-year-old wine, for a 1986, this shows little tannic structure, long, lingering finish, outstanding!! — 2 months ago
Double-decanted earlier in the day; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1995 pours a perfect garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe cassis, black cherry, mixed flowers, tobacco, earth, menthol and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium, integrated tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Classy. This is an elegant expression of Bordeaux and showed so well tonight. Thanks Andy! Drink now through 2040. — 11 days ago
Nectarine in color. Vegetal, hay, barn-y on the nose - a very surprising aroma. Round mouth feel with pleasant acidity. Getting some grapefruit and citrus and meringue on the back end. Complex wine that pairs wonderfully with a light, pasta primavera. — a month ago
Cork fell apart but the wine lives! Bought after Tiva’s baby shower, drank with Mr. Eckstein and Dad, the wine is a DEEP dark red, pale brick color to the edges, which needed about an hour or 2 to open up. The nose slowly emerged with ripe red fruits, crunchy ripe plums and cherries, with hints of soil and a little balsamic so far. Full bodied but not HUGE in alcohol, with a loooong palate with great pepper notes, ripe dark fruits, rasberry coulee, dark chocolate and long finish, softened fruits but still good acidity, with tannins just starting to emerge towards the finish and hints of briar and green peppercorn, with slight menthol freshness. This is at its prime right now! — a month ago
Tom Garland
Decant for sediment (lots of chunky/fine sediment) and pour. A stunning medium ruby red color with little signs of aging. On the nose: big inviting notes of dark fruit/currants, worn leather, herbaceous, smoked meat, funky earth, menthol. Taste: silky, evolved, expressive structure with brambly plum, currants, old leather, dark chocolate, graphite, and a black raspberry-iron-dried herb long finish. YUM! It's what's you want in an aged Napa cab, and glad to have just acquired 3 more bottles. — an hour ago