Château Latour - Pauillac 1997 b5952cb1c3ab96cb3c8c63cfb3dccaca

Wine Advocate

86 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/8/2002

Voici un vin souple, parfumé et savoreux. Certes il manque quelque peu d'intensité et de puissance, mais il a pour lui un doux fruité de noisette et de cassis nuancé de minéral et d'un boisé subtil. La bouche révèle une belle texture, étayée par une heureuse acidité ; les tannins sont mûrs, et la finale moyennement corsée.

Wine Spectator

88 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe8/31/2000

Delicious now. Lovely aromas of tobacco, toasted oak, cherry and meat. Medium- to full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a soft and fruity aftertaste.--Latour vertical. Drink now through 2015.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/2000

A flavorful, savory Latour, without a great deal of density or power, the 1997 exhibits sweet, walnut-tinged, black currant fruit intertwined with minerals and subtle wood. Nicely-textured, with adequate acidity, ripe tannin, and a medium-bodied finish, this smooth effort should drink well for 12-14 years.

Wine Spectator

88 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/31/2000

A lovely red but a bit light for Latour. Sweet berry, cherry and currant aromas. Medium-bodied, with firm tannins and a medium finish. Drink now through 2005.

Wine Advocate

90-91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1999

The 1997 Latour will be a surprisingly fine wine, as well as one of the longest lived offerings of the vintage. It possesses lots of tannin and depth, along with medium to full body, and a textured, multidimensional personality. Sweet, jammy fruit is intertwined with dried herbs, coffee, and earth in this saturated ruby/purple-colored wine. The finish lasts for 20 seconds, a positive sign for a 1997. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2018.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1998

Latour's dynamic duo of Frederic Engerer and Christian Le Sommer suggested that the 1997 Latour may evolve along the lines of the brilliant 1967 (one of the two or three finest wines of that vintage, and one that continues to provide immense pleasure at 31 years of age. Latour's 1997 (49% of the production made it into the final blend) is composed of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. The harvest began early (September 8) and proceeded intermittently over the following two weeks, ending on September 25. In contrast to the blockbuster 1996 (which I would now rate 96-98+), the 1997 is an expressive, open-knit wine that is already fun to drink. This deep ruby/purple-colored claret offers up evolved aromas of cranberry jam intertwined with black currants and Latour's tell-tale, intense minerality. By Latour's standards it is neither immense nor massive, but rather, elegant with a sweet, ripe attack, velvety tannin, medium body, and a round, graceful, stylish finish. This beautifully knit, harmonious Latour is already evolved for such a young age. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2018.

Like so many of the 1997s I tasted, Latour's offerings are extremely evolved, soft, precocious tasting wines that are easy to comprehend.