2011, Château Latour, PAUILLAC

Bordeaux Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot.

A delicious wine that stands out from many in the vintage. A ton of personality, with a sappy, raspberry, autumnal berry fruit as it opens and travels through the palate, with rose petals on the edge that give a beautiful uplift along with the classic trace of mint. Its tannins are a little more angular than you find in the 2010 and 2009, but it is starting to lengthen and open, although this was a vintage that was not immediately impressive in the way that the previous two had been. A stately Latour, one that needs another few years to really show its place. The last Latour to be sold en primeur in the old system. 97 Jane Anson, Decanter (2021).

The 2011 Latour is well-defined on the nose with blackberry, bilberry, cedar, hoisin and a touch of mint. There is impressive intensity here, regal and convincing. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins. There is a solid backbone to this wine, plenty of freshness, quite powerful towards the finish with superb persistence. Wonderful. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.  95 Neal Martin, Vinous (2022).

Many have called this the best vineyard in the world and the dynamic Director of Chateau Latour, Frédéric Engerer, is determined to make the greatest wine possible. He has the confidence of owner, François Pinault, to do all that it takes to achieve this aim. Production levels have been slashed in recent vintages with only the best parcels of vines now producing grapes for the Grand Vin. Latour has always had a fantastic terroir and now has a wine-making team working with state-of-the-art modern equipment under inspired leadership. In the last 10 years Latour has made the wine of the vintage more times than any other Chateau. The grand vin is typically made from only a third of the estate's total production and is a strong expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2011 is made from 34% of the estate's total production. 84.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, no Cabernet Franc and a pinch of Petit Verdot. A black colour and a dark and brooding nose. Very concentrated for a 2011 with layer upon layer of cassis fruit complimented by spicy notes and ultra fine tannins. Frédéric Engerer sees the elegance of the 2000 vintage here with the weight of 2004. This wine has a concentration that is completely atypical of the vintage and it's certainly the one to beat in the Medoc. 96+ Farr Vintners tasting team (London).

The nose is complex, featuring smoke, meat and hints of wood, with currants, olives and berries underneath. Full body with super-velvety tannins. The strong acidity gives the wine an edginess. Love the spicy, subtly fruity finish. Steely. Try in 2020.
95 James Suckling (2014).

Drinking Window: 2022 - 2050