2018, Château Latour à Pomerol, POMEROL

Bordeaux Blend: Merlot, Cabernet Franc.

The 2018 Latour à Pomerol is effusive and racy right out of the glass. Crushed raspberry, cherry jam, mocha, new leather, spice and cedar fill out the layers. Ripeness is decidedly pushed in the 2018. The tannins are a bit firm, so a few years in the cellar seems prudent. Latour à Pomerol walks on the wild side in 2018. I liked this quite a bit more in barrel. 91 Antonio Galloni, Vinous (2021).

The 2018 Latour à Pomerol was a difficult wine to judge out of barrel last year. Now in bottle, I am still not convinced by the nose, which is missing the focus and harmony that I know this cru can deliver in spades. There are lots of tobacco and earthy notes, but it needs more fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins, rather rustic and big-boned in style, leading to a slightly austere finish. It just misses the charm of its peers. 89 Neal Martin, Vinous (2021).

The 2018 Latour à Pomerol has a deep garnet-purple colour and a relatively understated nose of stewed plums, baked blackberries and redcurrant jelly, plus suggestions of unsmoked cigars, cloves and pencil shavings. The medium to full-bodied palate has a sturdy frame of chewy tannins and plenty of freshness supporting the earth and mineral-tinged red and black fruits, finishing long and savoury. 92 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (2021).

Powerful and dense, majoring on black cherry with a touch of crushed mint. Velvet-textured, this is enjoyable with plenty of swagger. 92 Jane Anson, Decanter (2020).

Reliably excellent, as it is here. Deep, rich, plunge-pool cool dark fruit – black berries, damsons, brambles and raspberries; a touch of very dark chocolate and even freshly ground coffee. Mint leaf (just a hint), and hints of subtle spice – clove and nutmeg, even fennel seed. Earthy and loamy. Very complex and beautifully refined. Another superb wine from this estate. 95 Colin Hay, Decanter (2022).

Drinking Window: 2026 - 2038