Chateau Latour Pauillac 2012 750ml

The 2012 Latour...wine of the vintage? It has to be a serious contender. In this blind taste-off between the five First Growths, its quality shines through. With exceptional delineation on the nose, it just oozes class with precise black fruit, crushed stone, mint and light sous-bois. The palate is perfectly balanced with a fine line of acidity, as precise as a Swiss watch, gently building to a finish that delivers the structure

The 2012 Latour is a blend of 90.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.6% Merlot and 0.2% Petit Verdot. Medium to deep garnet colored, the nose slowly, measuredly emerges with notions of preserved Morello cherries, baked blackcurrants and blackberry compote, giving way to nuances of pencil shavings, unsmoked cigars, Chinese five spice and sandalwood plus ever so subtle hints of cardamom and eucalyptus. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating black and red fruit preserves with a firm, grainy-textured frame and fantastic freshness, finishing with a veritable firework display of lingering spices and minerals. This is a more restrained, relatively elegant vintage of Latour that may not have that “iron fist in a velvet glove” power of the greatest vintages but nonetheless struts its superior terroir and behind-the-scenes savoir faire with impressive panache. It is drinking nicely now with suitably rounded-off, approachable tannins, and the tertiary characters are just beginning to bring some more cerebral elements into the compote of temptingly primary black fruits. But, if you’re looking to drink it in full, flamboyant swing, give it another 5-10 years in bottle and drink it over the next 20-25 years+.

A decade in the bottle, yet this powerful Bordeaux expression is still tightly wound and youthful. Its serious core of black fruit – with 90% Cabernet Sauvignon augmented by 9.6% Merlot and a pinch of Petit Verdot to add vibrant colour and a rich floral lift – enters the palate with confronting force, then finishes with a tight, flinty lick and the squeeze of muscular tannins. It has the architecture to last for decades in the cellar.

The 2012 Latour is medium to deep garnet colored. It is a little sluggish to begin, delivering oaky notes over a core of creme de cassis, baked plums, and new leather, plus hints of cast-iron pan and cigar box. Medium-bodied, the palate has a solid structure of firm, grainy tannins with seamless freshness and taut, muscular fruit, finishing long and earthy.

This features a terrific, gorgeously delineated graphite note that runs from start to finish, letting the dark plum, black cherry and cassis fruit play out beautifully. Shows a lovely backdrop of charcoal and iron on the finish. Ever so slightly rigid, with a strong graphite expression, this is straight rather than expansive in feel, but seriously long nonetheless. Best from 2018 through 2030. 9,819 cases made.

Very perfumed with hints of minerals, currants, wet earth and stones. Full-bodied, muscular and chewy. Polished tannins, tight acidity and a savory finish. Very reserved. Muscular. Better in 2019.