Tasting Notes
Antonio Galloni 100
The 2005 Latour was mind-blowingly profound in two recent tastings for this report. Deep and sensual to the core, the 2005 is utterly captivating. All the elements are so seamlessly put together. Graphite, creme de cassis, licorice, dark spice and lavender infuse the 2005 with so much energy. More than anything else, though, the 2005 is a Latour of texture and resonance. Even after several hours, the 2005 is fresh and full of energy. Wines like this are just life affirming. That’s about all I can really say. Tasted two times.
Anticipated maturity: 2022-2055
Neal Martin 98
The 2005 Latour has an absolutely stunning bouquet that rivets you to the spot, with brilliant delineation and concentration and layers of black fruit, tar, graphite and light floral scents. Quintessential Latour firing on all cylinders. The palate is classic in style with a grainy texture, showstopping salinity and immense tension. You can almost picture the Gironde Estuary in your mind as you taste this. This is more backward than its peers, including the other First Growths, which I would expect. Nevertheless, it is a multifaceted, long-term Latour for those with patience. Tasted at the chateau.
Anticipated maturity: 2030-2070
Stephen Tanzer 98
($1; 500-$2,000) Deep ruby-red. Reticent, brooding aromas of cassis, black plum, graphite and flowers. Then utterly explosive in the mouth, with wonderful sappy complexity of flavor and a thickness of texture that builds and builds toward the back; almost no sign of the new oak here. Offers a near-magical combination of power and refinement, but this extremely primary wine is still an infant. Finishes with extraordinary persistence that leaves the palate vibrating. One of the greatest young Bordeaux I’ve tasted in recent years, and more complete and classic than the outrageously lush 2003. For his part, Engerer feels that this wine combines the best traits of the 2003 and 2000 Latours. I made the mistake of retasting the 2007 after trying this, and the tannins of the younger wine came off as dry by comparison.
Wine Advocate 98
2005 was a very dry, warm and sunny vintage, causing vine stress in some areas of Bordeaux. Harvested from September 26 to October 6, the tannin/IPT levels were very high this year. The 2005 Latour is blended of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot. It is the biggest surprise of this tastinga until now, the wine was relatively closed and broody, but today the wine is just starting to reveal its personalitya and what a stunner! Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it opens with provocative floral scents of roses and violets over a core of fresh blackcurrants, chocolate-covered cherries and black raspberries with hints of fertile loam, unsmoked cigars and black tea. Medium to full-bodied, firm, grainy and packed with muscular fruit, it has an epically long, savory finish sparked by floral notes. 12,000 cases were made.
JancisRobinson.com 19
87% Cabernet Sauvignon, remainder Merlot and Petit Verdot. Harvest took place between 26 September and 6 October. Along with Margaux, another standout 2005. Still closed on the nose, this is a precise, concentrated Latour which has the structure to age effortlessly for a further two (or more) decades. Intense lead-pencil character on the nose with a plush, rich, intense palate of vibrant, dark, concentrated fruit. Extremely glossy tannins and beautifully integrated oak, finishing with a fine, lingering graphite note. A thoroughbred, drinking beautifully already but will age extremely well. (AWH)
Anticipated maturity: 2025-2045
