Chateau Latour 2012

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted blind at the 2012 Southwold tasting, the 2012 Latour put in a deeply impressive showing. It has a precise bouquet: graphite-infused black fruit, hints of iodine and a light marine influence—shucked oyster shell and Japanese nori. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, well-judged acidity, quite sensual and harmonious with seductive purity on the finish. This possesses exquisite precision and detail that evinces a wine of genuine class. Of course, perhaps this tasting note is irrelevant for the moment, at least until the Grand Vin is released onto the market. It will be intriguing to re-taste it when it does see the light of day. Tasted January 2012.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Reminiscent of the 2008, the 2012 is a classic Latour, but is neither profoundly concentrated nor potentially one of the greatest efforts from this exceptional terroir. While noble, racy, stylish and medium-bodied, the normal power and density one expects of Latour is missing in this vintage. It is made in a more elegant, softer, lighter style, undoubtedly a smart decision since pushing extraction with potentially less than ideal grapes could have resulted in rustic aromas and flavors. This medium-bodied Latour reveals moderate tannin, but it should be drinkable when released, and last for nearly two decades. Chateau Latour harvested its Merlot between September 24 and October 4, and most of the crop ended up in Les Forts de Latour and Pauillac. The Cabernet Sauvignon was picked between October 5 and 16, the Cabernet Franc on October 8 (obviously a wet harvest), and the Petit Verdot on October 12. The 2012 Latour, which is off the market as a wine future until the Pinault family and Frederic Engerer agree on when to release it (probably 7-8 years from now), is a blend of 90.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.6% Merlot and the rest a tiny dollop of Petit Verdot. Only 36% of the crop was utilized in the grand vin, which achieved 12.8% natural alcohol.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The 2012 Latour is a blend of 90.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.6% Merlot and 0.2% Petit Verdot. Medium to deep garnet colored, the nose slowly, measuredly emerges with notions of preserved Morello cherries, baked blackcurrants and blackberry compote, giving way to nuances of pencil shavings, unsmoked cigars, Chinese five spice and sandalwood plus ever so subtle hints of cardamom and eucalyptus. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating black and red fruit preserves with a firm, grainy-textured frame and fantastic freshness, finishing with a veritable firework display of lingering spices and minerals. This is a more restrained, relatively elegant vintage of Latour that may not have that “iron fist in a velvet glove” power of the greatest vintages but nonetheless struts its superior terroir and behind-the-scenes savoir faire with impressive panache. It is drinking nicely now with suitably rounded-off, approachable tannins, and the tertiary characters are just beginning to bring some more cerebral elements into the compote of temptingly primary black fruits. But, if you’re looking to drink it in full, flamboyant swing, give it another 5-10 years in bottle and drink it over the next 20-25 years+.

robert_parker0

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted en primeur at the chateau. The Grand Vin is a blend of 90.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.6% Merlot and a pinch of Petit Verdot and achieves a modest 12.8% alcohol. It was cropped between 24 September with the Merlot finishing on 16 October. It has a graphite-tinged bouquet with a touch of seaweed and iodine. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, silky tannins. There is plenty of mineral-rich black fruit, perhaps a little spicier than the other First Growths, with a complex, structured finish that might not possess the length of the 2009 or 2010, but has a pure, primal sensuality that is alluring. It should taste wonderful by the time of release in 2021. Tasted April 2013.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

A grand vin, the 2012 Latour (90.2% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9.8% Merlot) probably won’t be released to the market for another 7-8 years. Representing only 36% of the crop, it has an opaque ruby/purple color, a beautiful nose of crushed rock and blueberry and blackcurrant fruit, sweet tannin and a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel. The striking purity and intellectually satisfying texture and finish all are indicative of this great first-growth that has overcome all of the challenges of 2012 in the Médoc. It finishes long, rich and convincing. Of course, this isn’t in the league with the great vintages of 2000, 2003, 2005, 2009 and 2010, but it has nothing to be ashamed of. This wine should drink well for 25-30 years, and will probably prove to be one of the longest-lived of the 2012 Médocs.

vinous0

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

Frédéric Engerer thought the 2012 Latour had entered a period of post-bottling dormancy when I stopped by, so he chose to show a few older vintages instead, including the superb 2001 Latour. We will add those notes on a future update of the database.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata

(90% cabernet sauvignon, and 10% merlot; 73 IPT; 12.8% alcohol; 36% of the total crop): Dark ruby. Perfumed nose of blackcurrant, violet, ink and flint. Bright acids and very smooth tannins nicely frame and support the blackcurrant and cedar flavors. Finishes long and suave, with a lingering graphite note. This sample actually contained 0.2% petit verdot. I didn't find any of the green notes that plague many Left Bank wines in this vintage.

vinous97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2012 Latour…wine of the vintage? It has to be a serious contender. In this blind taste-off between the five First Growths, its quality shines through. With exceptional delineation on the nose, it just oozes class with precise black fruit, crushed stone, mint and light sous-bois. The palate is perfectly balanced with a fine line of acidity, as precise as a Swiss watch, gently building to a finish that delivers the structure one expects from a Latour. Sheer class. Tasted blind in Bordeaux.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2012 Latour has a delineated bouquet, understated at first, gravel and cedar percolating through the black fruit. Charming. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins, fine grip, wonderful acidity and with an endearing symmetry that persists through to the finish. Superb concentration, much more than Lafite-Rothschild by direct comparison, with a very persistent aftertaste. Tasted twice at Bordeaux Index's Ten Year-On tasting and blind at the Southwold Ten-Year On tasting.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2012 Latour has a potent bouquet of blackberry, graphite and distinctive tertiary notes [instead of more marine scents observed four years earlier]. Initially, the palate is slightly disjointed on the entry and displays a subtle herbal quality, plus hints of pencil shavings. The 2012 demands a few minutes to really coalesce and achieve the precision and pixelation that have been the hallmark of this Grand Vin in its youth. Layers of black fruit coat the mouth, and a bitter edge lends tension, particularly toward the very persistent finish. Though its release implies, and the rhetoric from the château indicates, that it is ready to drink, if you want my advice, cellar the 2012 for another five or six years to witness it in full flight. It has always been a candidate for wine of the vintage... just have a bit of patience.