The 2005 Latour is a huge wine predestined for long-term aging. Noticeably deep in color, it has a showstopping bouquet with intense black fruit, graphite and touches of dried blood and tobacco as it considers moving into its secondary phase. But that's going to be slow coming...it's in no hurry. The palate is medium-bodied and unapologetically classic in style. I notice this bottle is a little grainy in texture, the salinity perhaps heightened as it enters adulthood. The finish has a tangible sense of tension, but it remains backward and swarthy. Immense. Tasted at Woo Cheong Tea House dinner organized by Paulo Pong. (Neal Martin, Vinous, February 2024)
— 8 months ago
Beautiful, deep, rich, bold, and deep and complex; this one was a treat — 10 months ago
Deep and delicious — 3 years ago
Las Alturas' Spanish for 'the heights', a fitting name, this vineyard located on one of the highest grape-growing benches in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. 4th gen Winemaker Joseph J. Wagner from a family with farming and winemaking roots in Napa since 1906. Met Joe several times. Deep Ruby (darkest Pinot I have come across, almost looks like a Cab). Rich berry flavors with cedar, spice and vanilla. Lingering ending with sweet oak notes. Consistent quality Nice! A Fav! — 4 years ago
Oh so smooth and rich. A bold deep flavored Cabernet. This is what people drink Cabernet for. — 5 years ago
Good wine. Almost a 9 — 7 years ago
2007. Deep purple coloration. On the nose cherry, plum, oak and vanilla. On the palate tobacco, oak, cherry, high tannins after 8 years. Can age much longer. Short finish strong tannins overpowering. — 9 years ago
Had the magnum. Very smooth with dark fruit, oak and deep structure. — 10 years ago
Very rich nose, tobacco, rich, deep, velvety, any kind of steak, smooth and complex at same time. Nice. — 12 years ago
The anticipation and patience displayed holding this for 10 years was amply rewarded. Clear, brick-ish color, tight nose that eventually opened to loads of red fruit, Burgundy like in its combination of lushness and reserve. Subtle and layered even after all these years. — 7 months ago
Nose has cherry, leather, herbaceous and spice notes. Medium plus acidity, smooth tannins, full bodied Pinot Noir. Tons of red fruit, with notes of black cherry, young strawberry. Secondary notes of oak and vanilla. Short finish, but works well as a package. Great with food cause it is after all, a Pinot Noir. High 14.5% ABV for a Pinot as well, but it opens up nicely and is not closed off. Very pleasant wine to drink! — 3 years ago
2007 vintage. Deep garnet color w hints of light brown; full bodied, satin mouthfeel. Blackfruit, bell pepper, cocoa, earth, leather notes. Balanced tannin, long soft finish. — 4 years ago
Deep currents in the nose with a beautiful round smooth mouth full of flower petals light citrus and berries. — 5 years ago
13 July 2016. Eastside Cellars, New York, NY. — 8 years ago
Deep concentration, dried cherries and plum. Licorice, leather and charcoal. An icon — 10 years ago
Good wine deep red $15.19 — 12 years ago
Nice for a steak dinner at a restaurant for a reasonable price. Pop and pour Zinfandel blend. Deep color, fruit and spice aroma. Palate is heavily red Zinfandel with dark berries, plum, and spice - pepper with a hint of nutmeg and vanilla. Balanced tannins and acidity. Short but pleasant finish. — 5 months ago
Medium deep ruby , garnet rim . Lighter cooler fruits , touch of spicy cassis , dry spices , touch of coffee . Lighter, redder fruits on the palate, cranberry and redcurrant with some cassis , quite light and small boned , grafite and tobacco notes . Good acidity , with lighter but still gritty tannins . Ok length . This is quite light but enjoyable now and over the next 5-8 years — 6 months ago
I’d say these wines are overrated. Second of the 2012’s I picked up. Dark fruit, supple but not that interesting. — 10 months ago
Smooth, worth the money. — 4 years ago
2013 vintage. Vibrant ruby color, med bodied, soft mouthfeel & tannins. Bright cherry, cola, plum, strawberry, vanilla notes. Nice lasting finish. — 5 years ago
V13. Very good today, great tomorrow! Very nice cedar bouquet, deep blackberry and plum fruit with a spicy and very slight green pepper finish . Wine is really good today , but there is a slight "newness" that will eventually round out. Enjoyable dinner wine. — 9 years ago
Clear deep purple colour with watery rim. Clean medium intensity aroma with minty black cherry and black currant with hint of oak smokiness and vanilla. Dry on the palate full bodied medium alcohol with medium acidity and high but smooth velvety tannin. Flavours of earthy black currant, black cherry, and vanilla. Flavours last through into its long pleasant finish. Very good quality, drink now but can age for another 3 to 5 years for a even more balanced complexity. — 10 years ago
Sipping Fine Wine
Crafted by Joseph J. Wagner, 4th generation winemaker, with winemaking roots in the Napa Valley since 1906. Deep Ruby with red berry fruit aromas, tea and sweet spice notes. On the palate flavors of jammy blackberry and cherry with pronounced sweet vanilla oak, cacao and pepper spice notes. Soft tannins and bright acidity, well balanced, with mineral tones on a long finish ending with toasty spice! Nice! — 5 months ago