Château Latour

Premier Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1981

9.2

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a dull purple/garnet color with a translucent core and significant rim variation, moving towards a rust color. The wine has medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of cassis, dried blackberries, dried red and purple flowers, old leather bound books, tobacco, a touch of menthol, some earth, old wood and a sprinkle of warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Super high quality but a touch thin.

Initial conclusions: Due to the observable characteristics of color, rim variation, sediment, smell and flavor, I think this wine has significant age; 30+ years. However, this is still very alive and showing more than enough markers to give an indication of place. Subsequently, this could be a Cabernet-based blend or a Tempranillo-based blend from the United States, France, or Spain. For me, I’m getting new French oak vibes instead of American so I’m eliminating Spain. I also think this leans more towards its fruit than its structure and since this comes across a little on the thin side, I’m going to say this comes from a tougher vintage. My final conclusion is this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the USA, Napa, 1981. Wow! This showed really well.

It never ceases to amaze me how analogous the 1981 vintage was in both Napa and Bordeaux. I find it equally amazing how well that vintage has held up; particularly when considering its poor reputation, mostly based on the prevailing thought at the time. From my perspective, well stored examples are not going to fall off of a cliff but I would drink now through 2031. — 8 days ago

Lyle, Pooneet and 17 others liked this

Jay Kline

@Somm David T @Tom Casagrande thanks gents

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Frankly find Latour more "interesting" in lesser vintages with subtleties/nuances often lost in the bigger vintages. The big vintages amply feature the power and the lesser vintages feature the glory. Probably in the minority here tho.

Jay Kline

@Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego personally, I don’t have enough experience with Chateau Latour to have a feeling, one way or another. That being said, I’ve had enough experience with 1st growths in general (including Latour) to more or less understand your take. And logically, I have no reason to doubt your position

Louis Latour

Domaine de Valmoissine Pinot Noir 2023

Arecibo Message

9.0

Raisin tight enough; no character yet.
20 minutes later: Ooh light cherry cola! Had it with my weirdly chocolate tasting homemade soba. I guess seaweed, tsuru no moto, tamari, egg, sesame oil caramelize in the mouth and make this wine like a trip to 7-Eleven in 1986. Me likie. — 2 months ago

Louis Latour

Pouilly-Fuissé Chardonnay

Mark LaClair

8.9

Sadly, this bottle of 2010 Latour was found in my cellar far too long after its prime. Although it still had some fruit, it was covered up by the oxidation and was gaining tertiary aromas that were not beneficial. I’m rating it higher though, because the age of the wine is not the producers fault. This wine she be drunk young or up to a couple of years after release. Having visited this village in Bourgogne, I can tell you that the Chardonnay coming from here is perhaps the best in the world. I only wish I had opened this bottle in its prime. — 3 days ago

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1975

Conrad Green

9.3

Very pretty. Faded with a touch of balsamic. Poised and pretty. Very light but complete. Pristine for a 50 year old cab — 18 days ago

with Naoko and Paul

Matt, Juan and 15 others liked this

ESF

historic bottle - 👍

Louis Latour

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay 2018

Christian Fischer

9.5

Going for a magnum of this wonderful 2018 white Burgundy. Heavy on the alcohol and the typical Burgundy Chardonnay flavors. Hits the mark — 2 months ago