Grand Wine of Château Latour

Wine Spectator

90 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe6/30/2001

Outstanding, but slightly unimpressive. Dark red color. Complex aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate, tar and minerals. Medium- to full-bodied and balanced, with fine tannins and a silky texture.--Bordeaux retrospective. Drink now.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/1/2000

Tasted from my cellar, the 1986 has consistently been outstanding, falling short of being sublime. The spicy, peppery bouquet reveals aromas of dried herbs and red currant fruit. Medium-bodied, austere, but youthful, vigorous, and concentrated, this wine still requires 4-5 years of cellaring. It is surpassed in this vintage (which favored the northern Medoc and Cabernet Sauvignon) by its rivals, Lafite-Rothschild and Mouton-Rothschild. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe1/1/2000

Le 1986 s'est toujours montré extraordinaire, sublime à peu de chose près. Son bouquet poivré et épicé révèle des notes d'herbes séchées et de groseille préludant à un ensemble moyennement corsé, austère, encore jeune, tonique et concentré, qui requiert une garde de 2 à 3 ans. A boire jusqu'en 2020. 90+

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe1/1/1998

This wine has developed in a perplexing manner, although it still needs another 5-10 years of bottle age before it reaches that magical plateau of maturity. The color remains a dark murky garnet with some purple at the edges. The nose has developed Latour's classic aromas of black currants and walnuts, as well as scents of tar, earth, and a touch of peppery herbs. This medium to full-bodied wine possesses high tannin, and excellent to outstanding concentration. Given the top quality level achieved by many other northern Medoc 1986s, Latour will always, I suspect, be considered somewhat of a disappointment for the vintage. It is well behind its rivals - Chateau Margaux, Lafite-Rothschild, and Mouton-Rothschild. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2015. Last tasted 1/97

Wine Advocate

91 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/1/1993

The 1986 Latour has a deep ruby/purple color, and a moderately intense bouquet of mineral-scented, blackcurrant fruit intermixed with the classic walnut scents that seem to emerge from Latour's well-placed vineyard. Although undoubtedly excellent, with medium to full body, fine concentration, and impressive length, by Latour's standards, the wine is not as brawny, chewy, or as densely packed with fruit as I would have expected in a vintage when the Cabernet Sauvignon excelled. Nevertheless, this wine should easily last 20-25 years, but I do not see it taking its place as one of the many extraordinary wines that have been produced at this property. Anticipated maturity: 1996-2012. Last tasted, 5/93.