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. — a month ago
AGD Montreal 2025
Au Pied de Cochon — 3 months ago
Delicious Margaux Bordeaux blend, dark fruit and fine tannin, at the Hurricane, Kennebunkport — 8 hours ago
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! — a month ago
3rd bottle from a rare auction purchase. Deeply earthy, loads of red and blue fruit. Lavender, white pepper. Delicious. — 2 months 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
ESF
very pleasant, elegant, all kinds of cherry, raspberry and red currant on nose, some red florals, spice and an herbal note. great varietal typicity w/out carbonics - legit, classic style, has many more years ahead, mild tannins and decent acidity make this versatile for food options — 9 days ago