Victor Hsu

9.3

Smooth, round and delicious, with gentle tannins and woody, plummy spice. Lovely red Bordeaux—we could dink this all night. Still balanced after 27 years but its acids seem a bit faded. I would guess that it’s at a high plateau that may be gently dipping so my daughter Rachel, who owns this wine, needs to finish the rest of her stash within the next year. The vintage of this bottle is her birth year, and we laid down a half case along with another half case of Chateau Lynch Bages. Both bottles are now soft, special treats. We enjoyed the 1996 vintage with prime steak at the Palm Restaurant in downtown LA, celebrating her graduation from UCLA Law. Congratulations, Rachel! — 7 days ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.3

Delicious old Bordeaux drunk at the perfect moment. Cassis, ancho chile, blackberry. — 6 days ago

Shuhui Ng

8.9

Great third label of latour without breaking the bank. Purplish red, black fruits , plum, capsicum, pepper.. medium to heavy bodied, but generally balanced with tannins not as well integrated. still a little too young.. will be more ready closer to 2030 — 4 hours ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Are there many/any better Pauillac second growths?

2003 a ripe, warm vintage.

Soften medium plus tannins. It’s Bordeaux lush, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum that leans into pudding, dark cherries, ripe strawberries, hues of purple & blue fruits. Dark spice w/ palate heat, nutmeg, clove , cinnamon notes, mid berry cola, some black licorice, vanillin, dark, rich forest floor with a touch of dry leaves, lead pencil shavings, dry tobacco, sandalwood to cedar, 1/2 used leather, limestone, dry, crushed rocks, dry river stone, dry herbs, dry to moist, grey, volcanic clay, fresh & withering dark, red flowers, framed in lavender & liquid violets, excellent acidity with excellent; tension, structure, balance and elegant finish that goes on and on.

First wine w/ an Allen Brothers Ribcap.

Photos of; Chateau Pichon Lalande, Virginie de Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande, library cellar and estate vineyard. — 15 days ago

Norman Gennaro

9.5

I’m tasting a bit of greenness and it’s faded but for what it is and its age - nice — 11 days ago

Jack Goldenberg

9.1

Classic Lafite. Hard to put into words. It was delicate yet still powerful. I’ve had the wine in my cellar since a year or so after release. We were stunned at how well it had aged…45?years old and still retained its fruit. It was worth the wait — 10 hours ago

David Koenen

9.5

At first: yeasty and spicy tones, shoe polish, dried herbs. Then, after a few minutes: grilled pepper, open knit, balanced, ecoline paint, earthy, licorice, bacon, very complex. Love it. — 2 days ago

Conrad Green

9.6

Dark and brooding with great rich fruit. Dark plum, leather, cedar, a whiff of iodine. Still tight and pure. Very good. Years ahead. — 9 days ago

with Garth and Matt

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1995 vintage. Decanted and throwing appropriate sed. Cork and fill both above average. Tasted immediately after decanting. Massive, dark fruits coddled with aggressive tannins. Fleeting taste but suggested an easy two decades ahead with push and promise. 5.17.24. — 11 hours ago

David Koenen

9.0

Sweet and plummy, pencil shavings, red pepper, tobacco, nicely balanced. It’s not like winter is coming for this wine, but autumn has definitely set in. Time to drink up. — 2 days ago