Chateau Latour 2013 - Pauillac 4df5d4d9d819b397555d03cedf085f48

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe3/22/2021

Composed of 95.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.4% Merlot and 0.4% Petit Verdot, the 2013 Latour offers an open-knit, fragrant nose of licorice, sandalwood, rose petals and cigar box over a core of Black Forest cake, stewed plums, mulberries and redcurrant jelly, plus a waft of cast-iron pan. The elegantly styled, medium-bodied palate (13% alcohol) fills the mouth with intense red and black berry preserves layers, framed by evolved, soft-textured tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing long and spicy. This vintage does not have the power and backbone of an outstanding vintage of Latour, but it is aging gracefully and, still possessing a lot of discernible fruit with plenty of tertiary pizazz, is absolutely delicious to drink right now. This sweet-spot stage is likely to continue for another 5-7 years, before the wine plateaus at a maturity peak and holds for a further 15+ years.

Vinous

92 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe3/22/2021

The 2013 Latour is absolutely gorgeous. Of course, the 2013 is lighter in body than the norm here, but striking aromatics and silky tannins more than make up for that. A wine of total breed and class, the 2013 is a real pleasure to taste today. Naturally, the lighter structure of the year is impossible to escape. Even so, at eight years of age, the 2013 is just starting to show the first signs of aromatic nuance, and yet it remains a young wine. The spread of botrytis led to an early harvest, with the exception to some blocks on the western side of the enclos that were more resistant to conditions and were therefore picked later. This is a remarkable showing considering a little more than 2/3rds of the vineyards (for the Grand Vin) were farmed biodynamically back then. I can't wait to see how the 2013 ages. My opened bottle stayed fresh for a number of days. Drink 2021-2033.

Vinous

91 / 100

byNeal Martinthe3/21/2021

The 2013 Latour comes from an infamously growing season that saw 30% more rain than the 25-year average and outbreaks of botrytis from 20 September, just seven days prior to the picking that was completed on 11 October. Deep purple in color, initially it has a relatively light bouquet compared to other vintages, scents of blackberry, raspberry preserve and pencil shavings plus hints of gravel. There are certainly no vegetal or green aromas. It has commendable purity, though it does not possess the complexity of profundity of a bona fide great Latour. Monitoring over time, it coheres and gains delineation, peaking about two or three hours after opening, so do not be averse to a short decant. The palate is medium-bodied with graphite-tinged black fruit, just a touch of cracked black pepper and noticeable salinity on the finish. Whilst it does not have Latour’s signature backbone or gravitas, it is approachable, harmonious and winsome. Frankly, it’s about as good as the Left Bank gets in this vintage.

Decanter.com

93 / 100

byJane Ansonthe2/27/2021

First things first - there is an undeniable enjoyment in finding a vintage of Latour's grand vin that doesn't need to be put away for a few decades, and it is smart of the estate to release this wine now, at eight years old, because 2013 is unquestionably a year that lacks the intensity and structure to allow long ageing. I tasted it both on its own, just opened from bottle, and over lunch to see how it held up. Smoke, floral notes and spice are the three main lines that you are going to find, and each one has its appeal. Expect raspberry, blueberries, cassis bud and cherry pit - all markers of a cooler vintage - together with a seductively intense level of retro-olfaction that brings in waves of peony, smoked tea, tomato leaf and rosemary aromatics. The Latour tannins build slowly over the palate, although they are finer than you find in most vintages, and overall there is a successful emphasis on precision and finesse. 31% of the total production. At the time around half of the main L'Enclos vineyard was in organic and biodynamic farming, and this was the last year with Penelope Godefroy as winemaker, before she headed over to the newly bought (and now re-sold) Right Bank estates of Vray Croix de Gay and Le Prieuré. Around half the usual production, no more than 5,000 cases, because the final yield came in at 25hl/ha. In my view, one of the wines of the vintage.
Drinking Window 2021 - 2038

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

the3/31/2016

Jamessuckling.com

94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/15/2016

Aromas of blackberry, dark chocolate and cedar yet bright and fragrant. Full body yet tight and polished. It starts off and then slowly grows on the palate with wonderful dimension of complexity and polished tannins. Better in 2022 but already so impressive.

Wine Advocate

88-90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/29/2014

A blend of 95.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4.7% Merlot, the 2013 Latour represents only 31.5% of the total crop. It is a surprisingly soft, charming, fruit-forward Latour with moderate concentration, a deep ruby/purple color, and no herbaceousness. Although not terribly deep or rich, it is an excellent effort that will not hit the market for another 5-7 years given their new policy of holding Chateau Latour until it is deemed ready for sale.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

89-92 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe5/16/2014

(95.3% cabernet sauvignon, 4.3% merlot and 0.4% petit verdot; 31.5% of the total production went into the  grand vin; 12.7% alcohol):  Deep ruby.  Fresh aromas of blackcurrant complicated by loam, flint and violet are somewhat camouflaged by a strong oak element.  Then smooth and balanced on the palate, with good density and a hint of iron to the fresh dark berry and graphite flavors.  Finishes long, with polished tannins.  One of the lighter-styled Latours I've tasted to date but a very successful wine for the year, as it has none of the rigid tannins of many other Bordeaux wines in 2013.

timatkin.com

95 / 100

byTim Atkin MWthe5/7/2014

Such is the château’s policy towards en primeur that this wine won’t be released (or priced) for a few more years, but it’s still worth writing about. Even in a lighter vintage, it’s a comparatively muscular Pauillac, with smoky, coffee bean oak, good fruit concentration and the backbone you’d expect from 95% Cabernet.

matthewjukes.com

18 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/23/2014

(95.3 Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.3 Merlot. 0.4 Petit Verdot). Only a small amount of Merlot was used from the oldest plot on clay soils. Seems to be unusually precocious for Latour. Will be 90% new oak when it is finished. Really quite focussed and fine. Good length and dark fruit but quite fresh and light. Interesting and quirky for Latour. No trace of greenness (pyroxenes) because of the short hot spell which knocked them out of the wine. Overall a relatively forward, unusual Latour, but one which will provide us with delicious drinking within the two decade mark.

Vinous

87-89 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/17/2014

The 2013 Pauillac is a tasty, hearty red laced with sweet red fruit, tobacco, earthiness, smoke and licorice. The rough, angular tannins argue for near term drinking, but the wine opens up nicely with a little air, showing bright floral and red fruit overtones. The blend is 53.7% Merlot, 45.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 0.8% Cabernet Franc.

My Bettane + Desseauve

17-17,5 / 20

the4/15/2014

Échantillon encore très jeune, droit, franc, racé, mais pour le moment tendu, un rien maigre en milieu de bouche : l’élevage devrait l’étoffer car c’est la nature du cabernet sauvignon du secteur  (94 %) de prendre une grande ampleur avec les soutirages. On sent un raisin en limite de maturité idéale, mais le terroir fort est bien présent.

Decanter.com

18,25 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/14/2014

Dense purple-red, pure Cabernet expression with surprising richness for  2013,  seductive for Latour, beautifully-textured fruit that will charm throughout a long life.

Jamessuckling.com

92-93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/8/2014

This is really racy with ultra-fine tannins. Pretty mint, currants and blackberries. Fresh and full-bodied, with firm tannins and a long, intense finish. Finesse and texture. Tannic backbone.      

René Gabriel

18 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe4/3/2014

95,3 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 4,3% Merlot. 12.36 % Alkohol. Nur 24 % der Produktion ergaben Grand Vin. Sattes Purpur-Granat. Wie beim Pauillac de Latour und Les Forts de Latour ist die Nase reserviert, floral, eher kühl und mit einer klaren Cabernet-Sauvignon-Expression, schwarze Kirschen, dunkle Edelhölzer, etwas Tabak, hat Mühe sich zu zeigen, weil es scheint, dass da im Moment nur wenig Aromendruck vorhanden ist. Im Gaumen eleganter Beginn, ziemlich deutlich hervortretende Muskeln in der Adstringenz, doch gerbiges Finale.

Wine Spectator

90-93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/3/2014

Tight and primal, with a taut plum pit and iron frame around a core of red currant, cherry and raspberry fruit. Flecks of white pepper line the finish, which features a long iron spine that shows impressive cut. Comes up short on flesh, but the precision is there, offering echoes of pomegranate, blood orange and bitter cherry allied to the minerality. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Tasted non-blind. —J.M.