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100
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100
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100
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Tasting Notes
Located in the heart of the Médoc, Château Latour has long been a symbol of Bordeaux’s winemaking heritage. Its Grand Vin comes from old vines, averaging 60 years, planted within the Enclos, the estate’s most prized terroir. Since 1993, under Pinault family ownership, the château has upheld its legacy of excellence.
The 2016 vintage saw a mix of weather conditions, from a wet winter to an exceptionally hot and dry summer, balanced by timely rainfall that ensured optimal ripening. Known for its precision and concentration, this vintage has been awarded eight perfect 100-point scores.
A deep, dark hue introduces an expressive nose of violets, rose petals, blueberries, black olives, and chalky minerality. The palate is complex and structured, with taut tannins and a long, vibrant finish—a wine destined to leave a lasting impression.
Neal Martin (Vinous) – 100 Points
Antonio Galloni (Vinous) – 100 Points
James Suckling – 100 Points
Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux) – 100 Points
Georgina Hindle (Decanter) – 100 Points
Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent) – 100 Points
Falstaff – 100 Points
Jeff Leve – 100 Points
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Low Tannin
- Tannic
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity
Classification: Red
Variety: Cabernet Blend
Vintage: 2016
Bottle Size: 750ml (Bottle)
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux, Medoc
Alcohol %: 13.7%
Cellaring: 15 Plus Years
Scores
100 / 100"Château Latour’s 2016 grand vin is a knockout—perfectly encapsulating the estate’s paradoxical signature of at once possessing jaw-dropping power with hauntingly gorgeous fragrance and finesse: Bordeaux’s iron fist in a velvet glove. Very deep purple-black in color, the nose of the 2016 Latour is quite closed to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal chocolate-covered cherries, licorice, red roses and violets with Indian spices, blueberry compote, blackcurrant cordial and cigar box plus wafts of pencil lead and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the mid-palate explodes with densely packed black fruits and tons of earth, mineral and spice accents, with a super ripe, fine-grained frame and seamless freshness, finishing very long and seductively perfumed. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown"
- The Wine Advocate
100 / 100
"I am dreaming as I smell this wine, perfectly ripe cabernet sauvignon with currants, tobacco and fresh mint. Orange blossoms too. This amazing nose is so complex. Medium- to full-bodied, this has has perfectly integrated tannins that you don't feel but know are there, elevating the wine to another level. It's very drinkable because of its stellar balance, yet the tannic tension gives it energy and seamless texture. A benchmark Latour that reminds me of the 1982 in many ways. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling
100 / 100
"A monumental wine from Latour. This isn't yet ready to drink but offers an impactful and promising palate full of muscle, tension and length. A complex nose filled with pencil lead, crayon, cola, mint, dried herbs, violets, and tobacco, layered with cocoa powder and espresso nuances. On the palate, it is both generous and controlled, suave and slick, with an effortless texture that fills the mouth with bright red fruits and cool, stony elements. The wine expands beautifully, with a powdery, fleshy grip leading to a long, mineral-driven finish marked by wet stones, graphite, and cola. Still compact and somewhat caged, the tannins remain firm and structured, almost austere in their tension. It carries a sense of power and poise, but still with supreme charm."
- Decanter
100 / 100
"The 2016 Latour is magnificent. Regal and nuanced, with tons of energy, the 2016 is immediately captivating. The bouquet announces an important wine, a feeling that builds through the wine's mid-palate. There's a real feeling of exuberance in 2016, and yet the wine remains quite classic in its structural composition. Beams of supporting tannin extend the effortless, beautifully persistent finish. Unforgettable."
- Antonio Galloni
100 / 100
"Impressively precise and muscular, no question that this needs longer in the bottle before really being ready to drink, but everything is in place for decades of pleasure. Smart timing of this release, a vintage that underlines without question just why Latour is so revered, and why there is a clear logic to holding it back at the estate for almost a decade, allowing the first part of its ageing cycle to take place under fully controlled conditions. Very much a classic Pauillac, with confidence and character, waves of mint leaf, coffee bean, cola, crushed rocks, crayon and liqourice root, opening up to show fragrant nuances of rose petals and peony. 100% new oak for ageing. Hélène Genin technical director, Eric Boissenot consultant, and at this point Latour was farming entirely organically and biodynamically, with organic certification coming in 2018."
- Jane Anson
