CHÂTEAU LATOUR
1996 1er Cru Classé Pauillac
| Grapes | Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauv |
| Colour | Red |
| Origin | France, Bordeaux |
| Sub-district | Haut Médoc |
| Village | Pauillac |
| Classification | 1er Cru Classé |
This is a monster. It is fiercely tannic, but it is the sheer concentration of flavour which is almost frightening. Plummy, super-concentrated, it fills every corner of the mouth with its richness - ‘époustouflant’ as they say in France. L&S (Mar 2005)
Alternatively, we may well have some bottles in one of our shops - why not give us a call on 0207 244 0522 or send an email to: sales@leaandsandeman.co.uk.
Or, check the RELATED PRODUCTS below for different vintages or wines of a similar style.
The 1996 Latour is a wine that I often find overrated and did not achieve everything that might have been possible in this favourable growing season. That said, this might well be the best of around two dozen bottles I have encountered over the years. As usual, the 1996 is decidedly austere at first, standoffish, looks down its nose at you. Yet it coalesces with time and develops engaging cedar-scented black fruit tinged with pencil box and a touch of iris with time. The palate (again) is a little muted at first but it soon found its voice and evolved very fine tannin allied with a crisp line of acidity. It is not quite as demonstrative as it was even just a couple of years ago, gained some detail and perhaps it will continue to meliorate. Very fine, very fine indeed - but not a patch of say, the Château Margaux or perhaps even Léoville Las Cases. Tasted at the International Business & Wine Latour dinner at Ten Trinity. Drinking range: 2018 - 2040 Rating: 94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Jul 2018)
The 1996 is a top vintage with great ageing potential. 'The price is a big improvement on 1995's, whose ex-château premium fell on deaf ears,' said Liv-ex analysts.Decanter Magazine (Sept 2014)
Fabulous aromas of crushed raspberries, plums and blackberries. Mind-blowing nose. Full-bodied, with soft and silky tannins and a long caressing finish. Hard not to drink now, but leave it alone. Best after 2010. Rating: 96 James Suckling, The Wine Spectator (Sept 2011)
Château Latour
1855 classification - Premier Grand Cru Classé The famous dovecote at Château Latour dates from the early 17th Century when vines were just starting to edge out general agriculture as the business of the Haut-Médoc. Later on in the 17th Century, Latour came into the ownership of the Ségur family who owned Lafite at the time too. The Ségur family, and their descendents, owned Latour right up until the 1960s. Sale of shares in Latour freed up finance for investment and modernisation. In 1993, Latour was purchased by the billionaire François Pinault from whom has flowed renwed investment. Château Latour sits at the southern end of Pauillac, facing Leoville Las Cases across the Ruisseau de Juillac. 47ha of vines sit around the château itself - the l'Enclos - and this provides grapes for the grand vin. From the l'Enclos, and other vines spread around Pauillac, comes the second wine - Les Forts de Latour and a "third" wine generically labelled "Pauillac". The vineyard is planted to 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with nearly 20% Merlot and a small amount of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The grand vin is aged all in new wood, Les Forts de Latour is a 50/50 mix of new and one year old casks. Latour's reputation is built as much on weaker vintages as the classic years - whilst everybody can make a great wine in years like 2005 and 2009, Latour has a consistency across the vintages that sees great wines made even when others are struggling.
- For full delivery details see our Delivery page.
- We offer free nationwide* delivery for all orders over £150 with our own vans. We also offer an express delivery service for an additional charge.
- Order & Collect from any of our 5 London shops. Order by Midnight for collection the next working day from 11am.
- Private wine storage: we offer a full In Bond and Duty Paid private wine storage service - find out more here.
RELATED PRODUCTS
2019 CHÂTEAU BATAILLEY 5ème Cru Classé Pauillac
Bordeaux France 13% Red
Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon. Half-bottles
Some oriental spice adds an enticing hook to the pretty aromatic nose. Laden with cigar-box notes and pretty, deep red fruit. Gets darker and more cooked on the palate, but holds its own. Rich and ripe and warming - b
...(read more)L&S
2009 CHÂTEAU PONTET CANET 5ème Cru Classé Pauillac
Left Bank Bordeaux France 13.5% Red
.
A deep purple-edged black. First scent is incredibly appetising, like blackberry and apple pie. Full and sweet, and also an intense, pointed cassis fruit. Thick dry attack - an amazing combination of freshness of concent...(read more)
L&SORDER COLLECT
ORDER ONLINE AND COLLECT FROM ONE OF OUR SHOPS