Chateau Latour 2001

WEINWISSER: "Sehr dunkles Rot, schier schwarze Reflexe in der Mitte zeigend. Extrem schwarzbeeriges Bouquet, Rauch, Lakritze, schwarze Oliven, dunkle Edelhölzer und getrocknete Cassisbeeren. Im zweiten Ansatz wird er dann noch fruchtiger und zeigt weitere blaue- und schwarze Beerensorten (vor allem Heidelbeeren und Brombeeren). Er legt permanent zu, was zeigt, dass er die Belüftung sehr schätzt. Im Gaumen wirkt er noch unglaublich jung und zeigt wenig Lust, heute den ganz grossen Gefallen abliefern zu wollen. Dafür sind seine Reserven markant und er wird wohl als langlebigster Cru in die 2001er- Bordeauxgeschichte eingehen."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "From magnum. Very concentrated. Very convincing. Solid lead-pencil character yet refined too. Long-term stuff with a notably dry finish. Mineral, dense and layered. Fabulously nuanced and persistent."

JEB DUNNUCK: "A wine that’s firing on all cylinders is the 2001 Latour and this beauty over-delivers in the vintage! Based on 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, it offers incredible aromatics of crème de cassis, exotic spices, lead pencil shavings, forest floor and truffles. Deep, medium to full-bodied, and incredibly elegant, with polished tannin, it’s utterly irresistible today, yet given its balance and length, I suspect it has another 15-20 years of prime drinking."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "An elegant, refined, medium-bodied Latour relying on finesse to carry its nessage of cedar, cigar wrappers, flowers and black currants. The mouth feel is soft, enveloping the center of your palate with sweet currants, as it moves to its effortless finish. This is simply fabulous today, and it’s going to get even better over the next few years. Drink from 2025-2045."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A brilliant offering, which should be drinkable much earlier than the blockbuster 2000, the 2001 Latour boasts an inky/ruby/purple color to the rim as well as a glorious bouquet of black currants, crushed stones, vanilla, and hints of truffles and oak. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance primarily Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it reveals a sweetness on the palate that is atypical for such a young Latour. The beautiful integration of tannin, acidity, and wood is stunning. The wine flows across the palate with fabulous texture, purity, and presence. This luscious, full-bodied Latour was surprisingly open-knit on the three occasions I tasted it from bottle. However, do not mistake its aging ability as this 2001, despite its precociousness, will last 20-25 years. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Extremely attractive aromas of blackberries and currants with just a hint of mineral and oak. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, long finish. As it was from barrel; powerful and fast. Serious stuff."