Château Latour

Château Latour

Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classé 2009

Bordeaux, France

Regular price£5,300.00
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Case Size
Duty Status

While the world of wine is often filled with hyperbole, whether from critics, wine merchants, or estates, my comments on the wine released today are straightforward: it’s a view I’ve held for years and not a claim I make lightly.

“this is one of the most remarkable young wines I have ever tasted.”
Robert Parker, RobertParker.com (100 Points) on Latour 2009

I cannot be sure, but I would estimate I’ve tasted over 100,000 wines over my career. I’m incredibly fortunate to have tasted some truly memorable wines, many of which I could only dream of owning myself. Still, the only wine I’ve ever given 100 points to is Château Latour 2009. I’ve tasted it multiple times, the first during the en primeur tastings at the Chateau in 2010, and I cannot think of any way it could be bettered. It is the pinnacle of Pauillac.

Given the Château involved and the quality on offer, it’s clearly not a wine for everyday drinking. However, if there’s space for something rather extraordinary in your cellar, then there is a very strong argument that this ought to be considered for that spot.

 

Style: Red Drink from: 2020
ABV: % Drink to: 2060
Packaging: OWC Stock arriving: Late 2024
Critic scores
100 RP, 98 NM, 100 JS, 100 LPB, 19.5 JR, 100 JA, 100 GM, 100 JD
Critic reviews
"A blend of 91.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8.7% Merlot with just under 14% natural alcohol, the 2009 Latour is basically a clone of the super 2003, only more structured and potentially more massive and long lived. An elixir of momentous proportions, it boasts a dense purple color as well as an extraordinarily flamboyant bouquet of black fruits, graphite, crushed rocks, subtle oak and a notion of wet steel. It hits the palate with a thundering concoction of thick, juicy blue and black fruits, lead pencil shavings and a chalky minerality. Full-bodied, but very fresh with a finish that lasts over a minute, this is one of the most remarkable young wines I have ever tasted. Will it last one-hundred years? No doubt about it. Can it be drunk in a decade? For sure. Proprietor Francois Pinault and his director, Frederic Engerer, have pulled out all the stops to produce one of the most monumental Latour’s ever made."
Rober Parker, December 2011, RobertParker.com

"The 2009 Latour is endowed with a simply magnificent nose with intense blackberry and cassis fruit laced with minerals and graphite, extremely focused to the point of overwhelming the sense. Wow. The palate is medium-bodied with filigree tannin, multilayered black fruit infused with crushed stone and a hint of white pepper, though it clams up towards the finish as if to say, not yet. Outstanding. This is Latour firing on all cylinders. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting. Drink 2014-2070."
Neal Martin, March 2019, Vinous.com

"Unmistakable Latour in an exceptional vintage, so you should expect a muscular, sculpted and confident wine that is bursting with Pauillac character, showcasing the brilliance of this clay-gravel location overlooking the Gironde Estuary. Still just emerging from its primary stage but just about ready to drink if you give it long enough in a carafe - although it will be even better with another decade. Think blackberry, bilberry, cassis, charcoal, slate, sage, incense, cigar box, grilled cumin and a ton of black chocolate shavings. 100% new oak for ageing, Penelope Godefroy vineyard director, Frederic Engerer director. Tasted a few times this year, and here I am adding to the two notes that are already on this site, one at 100 points, and one at 98 points."
Jane Anson, July 2024, JaneAnson.com

"A breathtaking combination of dried flowers and minerals, with dark fruits such as currants and blackberries. Full-bodied, with fabulous fruit concentration, yet its compacted. Velvety tannins. So much fruit and beauty. It's the quality of the tannins that are magic. It is the famous 1959 all over again. Amazing. Try in 2022."
James Suckling, February 2012, James Suckling.com

Shipping duty paid to Mainland UK is charged at a flat rate of £9.99 per consignment and POA for Northern Ireland or Islands.

Shipping under bond is dependant on location, but starts at £15 per consignment.

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Critics

AG
Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
AM
Allan Meadows, Burghound.com
DC
Decanter, Decanter.com
GM
Gus McLean, AbingdonFineWine.com
JA
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com
JD
Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com
JR
Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com
JS
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
LPB
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, TheWineIndependent.com
NM
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com
RP
Various, RobertParker.com
TA
Tim Atkin, TimAtkin.com
VM
Various, vinous.com

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