2015

Château Latour

Pauillac AOP, 1er Cru Classé, Magnum

Es war eine Sensation: das legendäre Château Latour verabschiedete sich 2011 aus dem Trubel des Subskriptionsgeschäfts und lässt seine Weine nun reifen, so lange es nötig ist. Jetzt wird der grandiose Jahrgang 2015 nach 8 Jahren freigegeben und die Kritiker überschlagen sich. „Zugleich intellektuell und sexy…“ 98/100 Lisa Perrotti-Brown (robertparker.com) „Körperreich, und dabei so rund und raffiniert…“ 98/100 James Suckling (jamessuckling.com) „Mittlerer Körper mit feinkörnigen Tanninen, harmonisch und zugänglich, klar und präzise, zurückhaltend mit verführerischer seidiger Textur.“ 96/100 Neil Martin (vinous.com) Das Château ist gerade in der Umstellung auf biodynamischen Weinbau, die Parzellen wo der Grand Vin gelesen wird, sind bereits zertifiziert. Antonio Galloni von vinous notiert, dass die Tannine bemerkenswert fein seien – obwohl Latour bisher eher kraftvolle Weine produziert hat. Wenn Sie sich also fragen, wie ein grandioser Wein noch besser werden kann, liegt hier eine Antwort… Presse 99/100 The 2015 Latour is a blend of 97.1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.6% Merlot, and 0.3% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet in color, it needs a little swirling to uncover the latent scents of black and red currant preserves, followed by notes of juicy blackberries, baked plums, and incense, plus touches of graphite and violets. The medium-bodied palate is completely filled with energetic black fruit and exotic spice layers, framed by super-ripe, firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with a muscular burst of pure black fruit and lingering mineral sparks. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown - - - 98/100 A seamless, totally captivating wine, the 2015 Latour has no beginning and no end, it simply exists in its own little world of pure and total harmony. Nothing is out of place. Instead, the 2015 captivates both the intellectual and hedonistic senses with its remarkable aromatic depth and textural brilliance. Exotic in its ripeness, with tremendous persistence and dazzling balances, the 2015 really does have it all.The 2015 is 97.1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.6% Merlot and 0.3% Petit Verdot. Don't miss it. 98+ - Antonio Galloni - - - 98/100 Aromas of iron, oyster shell, rust and stones with blueberries and blackberries. Full-bodied, yet ever so polished and refined. It rolls off the palate with fruit and salty flavors. Tight, focused and always refined. Pretty length. 97% cabernet sauvignon gives this brightness. Drink in 2022. - James Suckling - - - 98/100 Aromatically this floats out of the glass, intense and concentrated but full of light and life. Waves of flavour come at you, from crushed raspberries, pomegrante and blackcurrant to fresher redcurrant and lemongrass set against richer truffles, crayon and smoked earth. Mouthwatering, this really is a vintage where you can see the impact of the biodynamic vineyard work, with a greater sense of sculpting and violet florality than you would have found in this Pauillac powerhouse a decade earlier, without sacrificing structure and depth. As it opens, the sweetness of a ripe vintage comes through in edges of smoked caramel. A beautiful wine, thoroughly enjoyable, extremely well-handled and set to power through the decades. Harvest September 15 to October 10, 30% of production in the main wine. Hélène Genin technical director. - Jane Anson - - - 97/100 This packs some serious warm dark currant, fig and blackberry compote flavors together at the core, with charcoal, singed bay leaf, tobacco and roasted alder notes forming the foundation. Grippy for sure, but there's already alluring perfume and violet elements weaving around here. This has put on some serious weight and dark fruit since the barrel tasting, but remains all tensile strength. It will be fun to watch this age. Best from 2025 through 2045. –JM - James Molesworth - - - 97/100 Wonderful expression of 97% Cabernet fruit – a complete departure from the brooding Latour of a decade ago. Beautifully fragrant and fresh but the Pauillac weight is there and great purity too. This is a gamble on a new style of Latour, a bet that I am sure the château will win.2025-2050 - Steven Spurrier - - - 96/100 The 2015 Latour has a sensual, richer and more exotic bouquet than its peers, featuring plush red fruit intermingling with raisin and fig, although there is no sur-maturité here; the wine is just crafted in a more opulent style for this First Growth. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and a fine bead of acidity. This feels very cohesive and focused, and more saline than its peers. Veins of brown spice and leather surface toward the complex, engaging finish. I would have liked a little more length, but otherwise this is very fine. Tasted blind at the Southwold 2015 Bordeaux tasting. - Neal Martin - - - 19/20 97.1 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.6 % Merlot, 0.3 % Petit Verdot. Der Cabernet Franc wurde deklassiert. 30 % der Produktion ergab Grand Vin. Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Würziges Bouquet, tintige Anflüge und deutlich florale Noten, nicht so reserviert wie der Les Forts de Latour, aber auch nicht unbedingt kommunikativ. Im Gaumen zeigt er dann fraglos Grösse, schwarzer Pfeffer, Pumpernickelbrot, Heidelbeeren und Cassis, die Adstringenz ist verlangend, er zeigt aber auch eine schier feminine Noblesse, nachhaltig, mit mittlerem Druck. Wenn man Latour auf dem Etikett liest und den Jahrgang 2015 vor sich hat, dann erfüllt er vielleicht (momentan) nicht ganz die Erwartungen. Man hat hier aber auch das positive Gefühl, dass er in seiner Evolution noch rückständig ist und sicherlich noch zulegen kann/könnte. 19/20 2026 – 2060 Rene Gabriel