Chateau Latour 1978

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Fully mature, this is one of the finest wines of the 1978 vintage. The wine's dark garnet color is followed by a bouquet offering Latour's classic aromas of pepper, herb, minerals, walnuts, and cassis. I also noted a roasted, meaty scent intertwined with the vintage's herbaceousness. Full-bodied and corpulent, this rich, concentrated, soft wine is ideal for drinking over the next 10 years. Last tasted, 7/93.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

This is an old-style Latour that stubbornly refuses to grow old. Yes, it comes across as unashamedly classic and almost curmudgeonly on the nose with pencil shavings and cedarwood, though it remains fresh and vibrant. The palate is masculine, well balanced with firm, obdurate tannins, fruit a secondary consideration although you can forgive that because the finish is so well defined and focused. This is the kind of wine that expects you to stand up when it enters the classroom. Drink now-2015+ Tasted June 2010.

robert_parker89

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted three times between 2000 and 2002 when it was always quite masculine and foursquare, an archetypal Englishman's claret. Last tasted December 2004. I am resigning myself to this being one of those wines that will never mellow. A forward looking palate with mahogany core and tawny rim. A very typical 1978 nose of pencil-lead, wet sand and some herbaceousness. Still tough on the palate, very tannic and austere. Melted tar and tobacco with smoky notes developing. Very classic, atavistic Latour that demands a good meat dish to balance its dryness.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

One of the great wines of the vintage, the 1978 Latour has reached full maturity. While it does not possess the extraordinary concentration of the massive 1970, or the power of the 1975, the 1978 offers a stunningly fragrant nose of roasted herbs, sweet, jammy black fruits, nuts, and minerals. There is almost an iron taste, as if it were a vitamin supplement. The wine is medium to full-bodied, with fat, rich, concentrated flavors of black fruits, earth, and smoke. Although it has been delicious for some time, this wine reveals no signs of weakening. Anticipated maturity: Now-2010. Last tasted 1/97

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the “First Growth” lunch in London. Previous encounters with this Latour have always come across as rather dry and austere, but there seemed to be a great wine lurking here and maybe time would be benevolent. Here is the first bottle (from my own cellar) that really was a joy and fulfilled my expectations. It has an exuberant nose of cedar, pencil lead, smoke and charcoal with far more definition that previously. The palate is fresh and lively, still a little austere and aloof and yet there is more expression and vigour. There is just a hint of greenness on the finish, but by then you do not care because this bottle is harmonious and surprisingly elegant on the finish. Bottles of perfect provenance such as this should offer joy. Drink now-2015+ Tasted October 2008.

robert_parker90

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Medium garnet-colored with moderate amber at the edge, the 1978 Latour offers a spicy, saddle leather, tobacco, dried herb, earthy nose with sweet fruit trying to poke through. Interestingly, new oak also makes an appearance in the flavors. Medium-bodied, elegant, and fragrant, but possibly beginning to dry out, this fully mature wine requires consumption over the next decade. Anticipated maturity: now-2010.