Latour 1994

This is an interesting as well as great vintage for Latour. The wine possesses an antipically high percentage of Merlot (27%) in the final blend. Because of this, the wine appears to have a sweeter, more fleshly texture than is typical for a young Latour, but do not make the mistake of thinking this will be a commercially-styled, easy to drink wine. It exhibits an opaque dark ruby/purple color, and a backward, intense textbook nose of walnut and cassis scents complemented by smoky pain grille notes that build in the glass. This full-bodied, powerfull, layered Latour reveals high tannin, but no bitterness or astringency. The superb purity, fabulous precision, and remerkable length should ensure 35-40 years of longevity. Readers will find more fat, flesh, and glycerin than usual for a young Latour, but not be deceived, this wine requires 8-10 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity : 2005-2035.

Drunk from magnum, the 1994 Latour is showing brilliantly, bursting with aromas of dark fruits, English walnuts, cigar wrapper, loamy soil and woodsmoke. Medium to full-bodied, deep and fleshy, it's layered and concentrated, with sweet tannins, succulent acids and a long, sapid finish. The wine of the vintage in Bordeaux, I just wish I owned a case. 2014 - 2034

Quite deep, but with a lighter rim. More muted nose. Less fragrant at first, though it opened out in the glass. Big and blobby. Chewy end. Again, quite stern. Slightly smudgy. Lots of tannin.Date tasted 5th May 03.

An impressively deep colour at the centre, fading slightly at the rim but it looks far younger than 12 years old. Fine, classic Pauillac nose. On the palate there is good depth of blackcurrent fruit but it just lacks a bit of flesh in the middle. This is a traditionally styled wine with a firm backbone and structured tannins. There are hints of licorice and tar, This is a fine, dry claret that could do with a bit more weight to plump it up. Purists would love it (this is so not new world) but compared to the 1995 and 1996 it is a bit like watching a very good film in black and white.