Vanessa

9.5

Château Latour is an iconic estate in the Pauillac commune on the left bank of Bordeaux, achieving coveted ‘First Growth’ status in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.

The estate has roots dating back to the 14th century and derives its name ‘La Tour’ from a fortress tower built during the Hundred Years’ War, which no longer exists but is prominently featured on the label in recognition of its history.

We weren’t sure what to expect, as many have predicted these 1983s are likely past their prime, but this wine was a masterpiece. 🤩

It was medium garnet in color with expressive notes of cedar box, cigar, clove, peat, leather, forest floor, fig, prune, dried black cherry, plum, cassis, blackberry compote, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, dried violet, potpourri, kalamata olive, pencil shavings, graphite, & bacon fat.

It had the most velvety, fine-grained tannins that washed across the palate with ease, with a gentle but notable acidity that maintained lift and balance. It was concentrated, complex, and had a long, elegant finish. — 20 days ago

with Deked1

Jay Kline

9.1

Presented double-blind. The wine pours a slightly translucent garnet with an orange rim; medium viscosity with moderate staining and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of dried and ripe, red and black fruits: brambles, Bing cherry, old wood and old leather bound books, baking chocolate, grated nutmeg, organic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ (resolved) tannins and medium+ acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Called Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from France, Bordeaux, Left Bank, Medoc, 1990. LOL…that’s pretty close! For those wondering, the bottle was opened and decanted for sediment several hours prior. For my palate, Duhart-Milon needs decades to become interesting. Fully mature now though, this has at least a decade of enjoyable life left. — 5 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Strong nose of black fruits, cedar, spices, chocolates, coffee, licorice, light vanilla and black pepper.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, cooked cherries, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, cedar, earth, dark chocolates, licorice, cola, spices, vegetables, herbs and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 17 year old Napa Cabernet Sauvignon feels more like a Left Bank Bordeaux. Fruit forward with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Showing great complexity and delicious, but I expected more from this great 2007 vintage. I had the 2001 not too long ago, and it was so much better.

Nicely balanced and good by itself or with food. A good food wine too.

A blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot.

14.1% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$350. — 6 months ago

Ron from VA

9.0

2012 was a classic and tight vintage in Virginia… This blend does feature a lead of cab sauv at 38% with CF AT 31% - Merlot singing background at 25% — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Welcome to Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2025.

2012 in Bordeaux is a great memory as Sofia & I had a great 5 year anniversary trip to Italy where we were married, ending in Bordeaux. Picking Mouton Merlot for a day, lunch with the Baroness, having steak and sipping 82 Mouton. Pinch me is what I said to Sofia.

Saint Julien is the elegant region on the Left Bank. While 2012 was an ok to good vintage it will always be packed with great memories.

Branaire-Ducru in grand vintages is still a great value. Always elegant with this kind of bottle age and more.

Hour decant starting notes.

Tonight smooth, ripe, round, juicy; brambly blackberries/black raspberries, dark cherries, cherries, black plum, some strawberries, raspberries with blueberry tones. Dry tobacco with ash, leather, spice box with some heat, lightly grilled meats, volcanics, moist clay, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, light vanillin, mid berry cola, dark chocolate bar, forest floor with leaves, sandalwood, steeped black tea, bay leaf, dry thyme, mocha powder, dry caramel, crush, dry rock/limestone, dry river stone, bright red flowers mixed with dark withering flowers, nice round acidity and a balanced, smartly tensioned, elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds & lands on herbs & earth. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

A 5th Growth from the left bank of Bordeaux, driven on 70% Cab Sauv and 30% Merlot. It has the finesse and the style of Pauillac wines. Elegant and quite complex, highly aromatic and has abundance of tannins while shining on the finish. Warm and active!
Chateau owners also have Lynch-Baches and Ormes de Pez. — 5 months ago

Joaquin Martinez

8.9

Merlot dominant in a left bank. Rare but definitely an experience. Plush wine with good tannins and a great evolving flavor. Black currants, touches of plums, graphite and a wine that evolves throughout the experience. An age worthy wine. — a month ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Another solid vintage of this budget friendly Left Bank Bordeaux. Blend of Merlot (65%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petite Verdot (3%). Dark ruby color. Aromas of dark plums and berries with a noticeable amount of violets. Black berry/currant/plum fruit on the palate with a nice spicy note on the finish. Medium body and finish. Smooth tannins and well balanced. Punches above its price point. — 4 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.3

2016 vintage. Cantemerle is always a good idea if you want value for money. Like many left bank Bordeaux in this great vintage, it tends to close down a bit, so give it some time in the glass or decant. The nose slowly develops after an hour, with a mix of black and red fruit, classy cedar notes, and flowers. As usual, it's all about elegance, but it doesn't lack power either. Still needs a few more years to reveal all its complexity, but very good already. Ab. 13%. — 5 months ago

Jakub Kalinowski

8.9

Classic left bank kosę - black current, cassis, cedar wood, a bit of pencils shavings, a gravelly undertone. Fresh, restrained, savoury, pure.
On the palate this has a very nice, smooth, velvety mouthfeel. Present tannins yet so nicely polished & juicy. Good purity of fruit - black currants, blackberries, a bit of plum. Ni e length & depth.
Exactly what I expect from a St Estephe - medium body, savoury tartness with just a touch of fruit and excellent food pairing.
From magnum — 6 months ago