2016 Left Bank kicks ass at all price points. This is a bargain bottle that I feel deserves more love than the 8.5 average rating on this app. I give it an unapologetic 9. I popped and poured a glass (saving the rest for some mostaccioli later tonight), and it is behaving like a high-quality Medoc. A little tight but juicy, with pleasant fruit, slate, apple skins, and vibrant acidity. Appropriately tannic and a lovely finish. At $16, I would easily recommend this to a newbie or a seasoned veteran. It can handle 5 more years.
Listening to Patsy Cline. — 3 months ago
Birth year wine.
"Looks like a tricky one"... if I had a dollar for every time I heard that.
This is Chateau Latour Martillac, Graves, 1975.
This wine is slightly over the hill, but has survived 50 years. Just like me.
I'm assuming this is Cabernet, Merlot, and maybe something else. Fine, pale brick color. The nose is lively and generous with fruit, though there is a bit of grandma's basement.
The palette is driven by tertiary flavors. Mushroom, truffle, wet leaves, and pencil tend to drown out a bit of dark cherry. A little astringent. Maybe some Petit Verdot.
I wouldn't kick this out of bed for eating crackers, but I would prefer it with some lamb.
Hope you all are having an awesome Sunday!
Listening to Dexter Gordon. — 18 days ago
2018 vintage. Last tasted 8.26.22 (9.3) and 7.21.21 (9.3). Medium/medium-heavy body. Slightly less end palate lift than last two encounters and tasting like it is in that proverbial "state of confusion...er...transition." Would like to taste again and will give it 3-4 years before revisiting to do this justice. Pretty unified now without side projects and ancillary rabbit holes but something tells me this has another third act of mayhem and debauchery up its' sleeve. 07.09.25. — 3 months ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2021 pours a deep purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe dark fruits: blackberries, dark cherry, plums, purple flowers, cocoa, organic earth and 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. A crowd pleaser to drink now but with enough substance to enjoy through 2036. — 3 months ago
Dark ruby/ purple in color with a wide reddish rim.
Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with nice complexity.
Showing black currants, plums, cooked cherries, light oak, tobacco leaf, spices, graphite, dark chocolates, earth, vegetables and peppercorn.
Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This 10 year old is drinking very nicely now, and probably drinking at its peak. However, will continue to drink nicely in the next 10 years.
Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, so be patient.
Showing lots of earth notes with coffee and dark chocolates. Tangy and interesting.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
14% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$50. — 11 days ago
1997 vintage. A nice surprise in a vintage that was not highly regarded. Today, the 1997 outshined the 2000 La Tour de Bessan. Wonderful tasting with Marie-Laure Lurton, who kindly opened older vintages of La Tour de Bessan and Villegeorge. Unfortunately the 1961 Villegeorge was corked but one could tell the structure of the wine,it should be great from a good bottle. — 3 months ago
Freddy R. Troya
Château LaTour de Bessan – Margaux 2022
Bordeaux – France 🇫🇷
Overview
A cru bourgeois property in the heart of Margaux, LaTour de Bessan showcases the elegance and structure that define the Left Bank. The 2022 vintage, shaped by a warm growing season, highlights both concentration and finesse — a reminder of how Margaux balances power with perfume.
Aromas & Flavors
Expressive cassis, black cherry, and blueberry meld with notes of cedar, graphite, and violet. Subtle hints of tobacco leaf and spice linger in the background, adding Bordeaux’s signature complexity.
Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins and a vibrant core of acidity. Silky yet structured, showing poise on the mid-palate and a lingering, refined finish. Built to age, but already offering glimpses of charm.
Food Pairings
Ideal with classic Bordeaux fare — roast lamb, duck breast, or beef tenderloin. Also pairs beautifully with mushroom dishes and aged cheeses like Comté.
Verdict
A stylish Margaux that balances depth with elegance. While the 2022 is still young, its aromatic lift and refined structure promise rewarding evolution over the next decade. A Left Bank classic in the making. 🍷cheers! — 14 days ago