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2005 Chateau Latour (750ml OWC)
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Out of stock
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PRICE ABOVE IS PER BOTTLE, ONLY AVAILABLE IN 6BOTTLE ORIGINAL WOOD CASE
Vintage: 2005
Format: 750ml
Wine Name: Chateau Latour
Vineyard:
Designation:
Appellation: Pauillac
Producer: Chateau Latour
Varietal: Red Bordeaux Blend
Type: Red
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Sub-Region: Medoc
Alcohol:
Tasting note: Only 44% of the production made it into the dense ruby/purple-hued 2005 Latour, a powerful, backward, 12,000-case blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Petit Verdot and Merlot. As I wrote last year, this classic effort is built for the ages, and is largely destined to be drunk by our offspring rather than anyone over the age of 50 today. Complex aromas of crushed rocks, graphite, black cherries, creme de cassis, new saddle leather, and dried mushrooms are still tightly wound. The wine is full-bodied and powerful with exceptionally high tannin combined with zesty acidity, and laser-like focus. It will require 15 or more years of cellaring. I still prefer the 2003, but administrator Frederic Engerer says this “is more Latour.” Anticipated maturity: 2020-2060.
Latour is always the most difficult Medoc first-growth to find, largely because the vineyard and production are much smaller than its’ peers and because of the severe selection routinely done by owner Francois Pinault and administrator Frederic Engerer. (96pts. Robert Parker)
Tasted: Apr. 2008
Score: 96
Drink: 2020-60
Tasting note: Dark ruby black in color. Brilliant, intense aromas of mineral, blackberry and currant, with hints of Indian spices and cigar box, lead to a full-bodied palate, with ultrafine tannins and a beautiful balance of blackberry, raspberry and mineral. There's subtlety, yet also great depth. Lasts for minutes on the palate. This is a Latour with fabulous tone and vigor. Best after 2018. 12,500 cases made. (99pts. JS, Wine Spectator)
Tasted: Mar. 31, 2008
Score: 99
Drink: After 2018
Tasting note: Deep ruby-red. Reticent, brooding aromas of cassis, black plum, graphite and flowers. Then utterly explosive in the mouth, with wonderful sappy complexity of flavor and a thickness of texture that builds and builds toward the back; almost no sign of the new oak here. Offers a near-magical combination of power and refinement, but this extremely primary wine is still an infant. Finishes with extraordinary persistence that leaves the palate vibrating. One of the greatest young Bordeaux I've tasted in recent years, and more complete and classic than the outrageously lush 2003. For his part, Engerer feels that this wine combines the best traits of the 2003 and 2000 Latours. I made the mistake of retasting the 2007 after trying this, and the tannins of the younger wine came off as dry by comparison. (98pts. Steven Tanzer)
Tasted: May/Jun 2008
Score: 98
Drink: N/A
Tasting note: Rated 95.5 in 2007-03 from barrel at the estate. This wine possesses the dynamics of the 2001 and the flesh of the 2003 without the final depth. I regretted not to find a riper and more suave nuance in the primeur. Today the balance is better. The color is lovely and the nose is fine, fruity and intense. After a very lovely, pulpy entry, the wine develops very dynamic, a bit nervous, very fruity and fresh, yet fleshy. Supple, rich, strong in mid-mouth, it develops in finale and finishes long with fine tannins. A truly different wine this year from the others. Wait until 2015 and before 2040. (95.5pts. Jean Marc Quarin)
Tasted: Apr. 2007
Score: 95.5
Drink: 2015-40
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