Chateau Latour 1971

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Tasted from my personal cellar, the 1971 Latour is undoubtedly the wine of the Medoc, and possibly the wine of the vintage (Petrus and Trotanoy are also splendid efforts). Drinkable young, it has continued to evolve, offering extraordinary aromatic complexity as well as surprisingly deep, concentrated flavors atypical for the vintage. A dark opaque garnet color with amber at the edge is followed by a spectacular bouquet of dried herbs, cedar, smoky black fruit, and coffee. Rich, but structured, with moderate tannin, this medium-bodied, elegant yet complex wine possesses a sweet mid-palate in addition to a long, concentrated finish with abundant tannin. This underrated 1971 has been fully mature for over a decade, but it reveals no signs of cracking up or becoming attenuated. Anticipated maturity: now-2012.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted blind from magnum at the chateau, this is certainly the best bottle I have had of the ’71, generally agreed to be the finest Left Bank of an average vintage. At first, it is a little subdued on the nose but unfurls in the glass to reveal notes of graphite, tobacco and liquorice. In fact, leaving it in my glass it offers an intriguing cola note. The palate is tannic and vibrant, dry and a little austere at first by mellowing with aeration with black pepper, graphite and crushed stone towards the finish. Linear and correct, this is an upstanding classic Latour that you will loathe if you dislike traditional Bordeaux. Tasted June 2011.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

A mature hue, not as clear as I would like. A slightly muffled nose of decayed leaves, Asian spice, espresso and a touch of mint. The palate is medium-bodied and surfeit with tobacco and black cherries. Good acidity, well balanced and more approachable than the bottle a couple of years ago. Cedar, blackberry and leather. But this wine is crying out for food. Tasted December 2006. Drinking now-2015

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Though not as great as Parker's expounds this is still an impressive wine with a dense truffle, black olive nose followed by a powerful tannic palate that lacks depth and ripeness. This just lacks a little flesh and sweetness for me. A good but not totally enjoyable Latour. A test more than a pleasure. Tasted February 2001.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

I was lucky to be able to buy several cases of this wine at a low price. Every bottle has been consistently outstanding, and the wine seemingly better with each tasting. The 1971 Latour may still not have reached its plateau of maturity (although I have drunk most of my collection). The color is a dark garnet with good saturation, and some lightening at the edge. The nose offers abundant aromas of iron, mineral, black fruits, smoke, and roasted herbs. The wine is medium-bodied, with a fleshy, chewy texture, a sweet mid-palate, and admirable length. More and more this looks to be the wine of the vintage in the Medoc. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted 1/97