Latour à Pomerol 2009

A nice, old-school style, with roasted mesquite, tobacco leaf and espresso flavors up front, following through to bittersweet ganache and mulled dark currant notes on the still-slightly taut, but well-framed, finish. Should flesh out a bit more with cellaring. Best from 2014 through 2030.-J.M.

The nose is very bright quite red fruited with behind it some richer sweeter black fruits giving more weight. The tannins feel ripe all adding to the lushness of the black plum on the mid palate and filling out the finish. Drink 2018-2040.

A sumptuous follow up to the wonderful 2005, the 2009 from this Moueix-managed Pomerol estate is delicious. The Cabernet Franc seems higher than 5%, because there's an underlying leafy freshness here. The tannins are fine and elegant, the fruit is ripe without being soupy and the oak is stylishly integrated. 15+ years.

Dark, ripe fruit with smooth caressing tannins. Length and freshness. Assured quality and value from the Moueix stable. Won't disappoint. Drink 2017-2035.

While this is not the 1961, 1959, 1950, 1948, or 1947, in my professional career, the 2009 is the greatest Latour a Pomerol I have tasted. Reminiscent of a hypothetical blend of the 1982 and 1970, it displays a dense purple color as well as a beautiful nose of black truffles, smoky meat, plums, black currants, sweet cherries, and loamy earth. A lush texture, full-bodied opulence, fabulous purity, and lots of power (nearly 14% natural alcohol) suggest it will drink well for 20-25 years. (Tasted once.) Drink 2010-2035.Robert Parker added an asterisk to this wine score to signify that it is a wine he considers has the finest potential of all the offerings he has ever tasted from this estate in nearly 32 years of barrel tasting samples in Bordeaux.

Tasted at JP Moueix. This has a striking bouquet, exuberant, almost exotic ripe red-berried fruit suffused with apricot, almost marmalade notes, very modernistic in profile yet still well defined. The palate is full-bodied with very ripe red-berried fruit, fine minerality coming through though not quite as well defined towards the finish as I would expect. Very supple and rounded, though not plump, leading to a light peppery aftertaste. Not quite sure how this will evolve, but it will be intriguing to discover... Tasted April 2010.