Vanessa

9.5

Château Latour is an iconic estate in the Pauillac commune on the left bank of Bordeaux, achieving coveted ‘First Growth’ status in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.

The estate has roots dating back to the 14th century and derives its name ‘La Tour’ from a fortress tower built during the Hundred Years’ War, which no longer exists but is prominently featured on the label in recognition of its history.

We weren’t sure what to expect, as many have predicted these 1983s are likely past their prime, but this wine was a masterpiece. 🤩

It was medium garnet in color with expressive notes of cedar box, cigar, clove, peat, leather, forest floor, fig, prune, dried black cherry, plum, cassis, blackberry compote, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, dried violet, potpourri, kalamata olive, pencil shavings, graphite, & bacon fat.

It had the most velvety, fine-grained tannins that washed across the palate with ease, with a gentle but notable acidity that maintained lift and balance. It was concentrated, complex, and had a long, elegant finish. — 7 months ago

with Deked1

Luis Arguero (@winefromAtoZ)

9.8

Joseph Phelps Insignia 2008: Bold. Rich. Stunning. Velvety black fruits. Mocha. Eucalyptus. Leather. Consisting of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot & 4% Merlot, this was the perfect 1.5L of pure liquid greatness. What better way to celebrate two milestone events but with this extremely special bottle. Simply the finest Napa Valley Bordeaux-style blend ever! Happy Birthday mom & Happy belated 50th Anniversary! Cheers🍷 — 5 years ago

with Carol

Brian J.

8.9

At almost 15 years old, this baby was about to retire so we decided to finally open it for Christmas dinner. Still that classic Silver oak fruit. Nice velvety texture. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

Pontet Canet tasting and dinner with Alfred Tesseron.

What a great vintage. Its tannin structure will outlive the 09 and anyone 45 and older. The 2010 is a forever vintage and while different than 09, it will undoubtedly be just as great. It’s just going to take a lot more bottle age than the 09.

The body is full and round. The tannins have rounded but are still big and chewy. It’s more concentrated than 09. The fruit is really beautiful and again perfectly ripe. Dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, dark plum, poached strawberries with hints of raspberries. Soft soil structure; dry top soil, moist clay, medium intensity dark spice, fresh tobacco, dry herbs, crushed rock powder, with dark, withering florals with violets. The texture is velvety. The structure and tension are big. The length and balance are worthy of its perfect score. For me, it’s just not there, yet! The acidity is really good. The long, lush, ripe, well balanced, polished finish is deliciously persistent.

Photos of; our dinner group, tasting room at Pontet Canet, the horse plows they still use in the fields and Chateau Pontet Canet. — 6 years ago

Ron Lear

9.1

Spectacular fruity back finish with lovely tannins. Soft and velvety throughout! — 7 years ago

MaJ CappS

9.2

Crushed velvety leaves from alpine flowers. A wondrous bouquet of a nose, and floral in the right way, not your grandmothers bathroom kind of a way.

Seemed fitting to picture this with our urban garlic harvest. As garlic take such a long time to mature, then even after picked, must be stored properly, to get the fullness of flavor.

Sweet blackberry tar is what this well crafted wine shows up front, subtle mint, eucalyptus, river stone. A perfect tango of tannins and acids, complete with the heel in the air - or maybe that’s my heel, enjoying this wine completely.
Decanted for the usual 3-4 hours. — 7 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

A 2nd Grand Cru Classé 1855 Chateau located in the southern end of Pauillac that produces powerful wines with amazing structure wines.

V.2018 was beautifully blended at 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35%Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 8%Petit Verdot, that delivers high-powered notes of espresso, tobacco leaves, and dense-black fruits on the nose.
Full-bodied, rich and velvety with an exquisite silken mouthfeel that is so signature of Pauillac wines, very plushy and opulent, yet well-priced and worth every single sip to the very last drop.

Age worthy to a decade if patient. However; literally couldn’t wait for it and had it all in a single seat! — 8 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.0

No formal notes . Medium deep ruby . This seems a bit more advanced . This is a bit harder and more structured on the palate , more tannin , less velvety and a bit more astringent . More spicy , drier on the palate . This needed more time to open . This was quite difficult to judge , I wasn’t 100% convinced about this bottle as it just seemed a little oxidative, however it did actually seemed to come together better after an hour or so , but still quite hard and astringent in comparison to the others (especially La Mission) . Showed a touch more mineral and grafite on the finish too after a while. This needed time , and I would imagine another bottle might tell a different story . — a year ago

Erica Gamble

9.2

Velvety smooth. Notes of blackberry, plum, full bodied. Very nice. — 6 years ago

Steve Medbery

9.5

Classic Chateauneuf from an excellent year. Bright red fruit, lots of spice and a velvety long finish. — 6 years ago

Liz Dolan

8.9

Sweet on the nose, fruit forward, velvety and smooth, calm tannins — 7 years ago

Brian Blaney

9.6

Really great cab. Smooth and velvety, rich — 7 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.6

I can already tell that my palate is going to need a breather when I get back home: so many big boy reds 😅 Tonight’s pour is luscious and supple with velvety dark fruits, moistened tobacco, smoke, graphite, lavender, and eucalyptus. Looking forward to this opening up. Excellent craftsmanship right here. — 7 years ago

with Krystal

Jason Phillips

9.1

Great nose. Velvety texture with bold complexity. — 8 months ago

Conrad Green

9.5

Plush and velvety, soft plummy fruit and great purity. Long and lush. Great — 9 months ago

with Paul and Ara

Gor

9.2

Not quite ready IMO. Velvety tannins, huge nose of tobacco, ashes, plums, cherries. A little shy on the fruit notes but the acidity and structure means this will likely last decades. — 4 years ago

KDU Wine Club

9.3

Earthy and berry aroma. Smooth and velvety with tastes of black currant, plum, and cherry. Dusty and chalky with a mouth coating feel. Slightly dry and spicy with a lingering finish. — 5 years ago

with KDU

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

Mother Mary of God! Just give me the bottle and a crazy straw. I want all my wine to taste this way.

The nose is; ruby and velvety elegance. Creamy, candied, ripe; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum & poached strawberries. Red licorice, candied, bright, florals for days. Dry crushed rocks, limestone, light, round granite, black licorice, sweet tarriness, expresso roast, dry leather, cedar, dry stems, vanilla, dark chocolate, caramel, cinnamon, light clove & nutmeg, beautiful, soft, herbaceous notes with crazy beautiful fields of; red, purple and blue flowers.

The body is full, round and the definition of elegance. The dark, tarry tannins are well rounded and have baby teeth. The structure, tension, length and balance are perfectly knitted together. Magnificent! Creamy, candied, ripe; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum & poached strawberries. Red licorice, candied, bright, florals for days. Dry crushed rocks, limestone, light, round granite, black licorice, sweet tarriness, expresso roast, dark, intense, spice with palate heat, dry leather, cedar, dry stems, vanilla, dark chocolate, caramel, cinnamon, light clove & nutmeg, saline, dry tobacco with ash, beautiful, soft, herbaceous notes with crazy fields of; red, purple and blue flowers. The acidity is round-elegant and like a warm shower. The finish is simply a forget about it experience. It is gorgeous & sexy and a wine I will never forget. This is a 100 point wine in short order. Don’t be foolish enough to open a bottle now unless you have at least 3-5 more. You’ll be robbing yourself of heaven.

Photos of; Chateau Palmer, their barrel room, a photo of their vineyard soil structure-if you didn’t know where all that earthiness comes from, a picture is worth a thousand words and their tasting room. — 6 years ago

Eric Vishria

9.4

Velvety, wonderful but totally integrated tannins. Liked the wood on it. Feels like a good time to drink. Took about 45 in the decanter. — 7 years ago

Sean Grullon

9.5

Okay - fine. It’s a good, probably great wine. Overpriced? Yes. Opus is filled with pretentious douchbags? Double yes. But this is a well-made wine bridging a gap between Napa and Boudreaux. Dusty nose with menthol, earl grey tea, tobacco, flowers, cassis, and creamy dark fruits. It has a really nice velvety finish. — 8 years ago