Wine Advisor
Chateau Latour 1991
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Description
Chateau Latour is among the First Growth properties classified in the Bordeaux 1855 Classification. The estate is situated in the southern portion of Pauillac, bordering St. Julien and the Gironde estuary. Latour is considered one of the longest-lasting First Growths, reflecting its high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon. Chateau Latour has an almost unequaled track record for producing stunning wines that age and evolve for decades, if not generations.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
After Latour's exquisite performance in 1990, the 1991 is somewhat of a let-down. Nevertheless, it is a candidate for the wine of the vintage because of its concentration and class. After a strict selection, only 11,500 cases were made. The wine offers a dense, dark ruby color, and a reticent but promising bouquet of black-cherries, cassis, minerals, roasted nuts, spices, and subtle herbs. Medium-bodied, with excellent richness, fine glycerin, and aggressive tannin, this ripe, muscular, beefy 1991 needs 5-6 years to shed its tannin; it should last for 15 or more.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted blind from double magnum at the chateau, it is a long time since I have encountered this off-vintage Latour, which must rank as one of the finest of the vintage. The nose retains a touch of greenness that cannot be ignored; yet there are also attractive aromas of cigar box, graphite and sous-bois. The palate appears to have softened in the last few year and is not as brutish as I recall and there is a lovely spiciness towards the finish. I would not leave it for a long time, but it must rank as one of the finest in this forgettable year. Tasted June 2011.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
First tasted at the chateau in February 1999 when it was showing some signs of greenness on the finish, despite that being impressive overall, especially for a 1991. Tasted again in London June 2004. The nose is immediately more impressive compared to the other 1991`s at this tasting. Black cherry, earth and cooked herbs. Touch of sweet blueberry as well. Still quite backward with firm tannins, pencil-lead and smooth texture. Tasting better now that a few years ago but I doubt it will improve any further (but you never know with Latour.)
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 1991 Latour is a supposed "off vintage" that I have not tasted for a decade or more. It has a fully mature nose, though certainly not past its best at 33 years of age, with dark, brambly red fruit, loam and light floral scents that percolate through with time. This is an atypically "gentle" nose for a Latour. The palate is medium-bodied and delicate, with a savory entry, fine acidity and melted tannins. It's less structured than 20 years ago when I last tasted this Latour, yet cohesive with gentle grip on the finish. This is lovely. Tasted at a book event dinner at Noble Rot Broadway.
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Package Size
1 x 75cl
