This took the crown for wine of the night, and is one of the best bottles of the 1986 vintage of Latour that I have tried - maybe it really is finally at its peak after 40 years...! Rose petals and campfire aromatics, a ton of still rich cassis and blackberry fruits, even the colour retains a vivid intensity. There are plenty of tertiary notes also, from tobacco, cumin, tar and dried cranberry to gunsmoke, pencil lead and mint. Finally approaching the beauty of a Mouton 1986, this is one to re-engage with if you had given up on it ever coming round. A low 25hl/ha yield. Pearson owners at the time. 100% new oak.
The 1986 has consistently been outstanding, falling short of being sublime. The Medium bodied, austere, but youthful, vigorous, and concentrated , this wine still requires 4-5 years of cellaring. It is surpassed in this vintage (which favoured the northern Médoc and Cabernet Sauvignon)by its rivals, Lafite Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild. Anticipated maturity 2005-2020
Good, solid dark red colour with some fade at the rim. Mature, cigar box nose. On the palate there is more flesh than on the 1988 but this too is a pretty lean, dry wine with maybe a bit too much structure for the body. Medium weight only, this has classic structure but is too lean to be considered great.
Tasted from my cellar, the 1986 has consistently been outstanding, falling short of being sublime. The spicy, peppery bouquet reveals aromas of dried herbs and red currant fruit. Medium-bodied, austere, but youthful, vigorous, and concentrated, this wine still requires 4-5 years of cellaring. It is surpassed in this vintage (which favored the northern Medoc and Cabernet Sauvignon) by its rivals, Lafite-Rothschild and Mouton-Rothschild. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020.
This wine has developped in a perplexing manner, although it still needs another5-10 years of bottle age before it reaches that magical plateau of maturity. The color remains dark murky garnet with some purple at the edges. The nose has developped Latour's classic aromas of black currants and walnuts, as well as scents of tar, earth, and a touch of peppery herbs. This medium- to full bodied wine possesseshigh tannin and excellent to outstanding concentration. Latour will always be considered somewhat of a disappointment for the vintage. It is well behind its rivals -Chateau Margaux, Lafite-Rothschild, and Mouton-Rothschild. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2015
