Chateau Latour 2012

WEINWISSER: "90,2 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 9,6 % Merlot, 0,2 % Petit Verdot. Extrem dunkles Purpur mit violetten und schwarzen Reflexen. Viel dunkles Malz im ersten Ansatz, schwarze Oliven, Pumpernickelbrot, Korinthen, Rauch, Périgord- Trüffel, Teer und getrocknete Heidelbeeren. Erhabener Gaumen, der Cabernet Sauvignon ist mächtig und bildet eine gaumenumfassende, verlangende, aber auch ausgeglichene Adstringenz. Ein gros ser Klassiker, fast schon im alten Latour-Stil. Erinnert mich stark an eine Mischung aus 1988 bis 1986 und 1995. Beim Vergleich mit dem letztgenannten Millésime bin ich mir ganz sicher, denn wir konnten den 1995er Latour gleichzeitig mit diesem 2012er-Primeurmuster bei unserem Besuch verkosten. Motto: Den zu jungen spucken – den fast reifen schlucken!"

DECANTER: "This will be by far the biggest release since Latour brought in the new system, as the 2012 has not been on the market before. It's a good one to start with as this is a vintage where the drinking window is starting to come into view. This is pure liquorice, graphite and profoundly dark fruits, gourmet brushed damson and crushed stones, with a silky, appealingly open texture. The tannins are as bracing as you hope for from this estate, not giving an inch yet, but there is air between them and the structure is starting to loosen up. Harvest from September 24 to October 16, under rainy conditions after a super hot summer and early September that ensured the grapes stayed in good condition, but turned the concentration from impenetrable to an altogether more approachable style."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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+."

WINE SPECTATOR: "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."

JAMES SUCKLING: "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."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Dark blackish crimson. Luscious-looking colour. Profound, complex with lots of depth. Really complete and spicy with a dry, very Latour, mineral nose. Not the most concentrated Latour but with great character and Latour expression. Very muscular and not nearly ready."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, mit dezenter Kräuterwürze unterlegte dunkle Beerenfrucht, tabakiger Anklang, zarte rotbeerige Nuancen, etwas Lakritze. Mittlere Komplexität, wieder rotbeerige Noten, integrierte Tannine, gute Struktur, salziger Nachhall, etwas wenig Charme, wirkt noch sehr unterentwickelt."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Already showing a hint of truffle on top of the sweet, ripe, juicy black cherries and plums, the wine is soft, round and fresh, with a sweet hint of chocolate with the red fruits in the finish."