This wine was showing slightly less impressively in 2003 than it was last year. Nevertheless, it possesses sweet cherry and black currant fruit along with notes of earth, herbs, and tobacco leaf. While elegant, it is less like its bigger sibling than one would expect. It should drink well for 10-12 years.
Mid crimson with some transparency. Savoury, appetising and very winning. Racy. Sleek, relatively lightweight but very classic claret. Juicy and wonderfully gouleyant. Dry finish but absolutely classic. Sort of St-Julien structure, with Pauillac minerality. The first vintage in the new facility with smaller vats. Drink 2009-2030. Date tasted 7 Jul 09.
The undeniably reliable second wine, the 2001 Forts de Latour, is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Merlot, and represents 35% of the production. It exhibits abundant quantities of sweet tannin, medium body, admirable fruit extraction as well as ripeness, and plenty of cedar, black currant, and earthy fruit. It should drink well for 14-15 years.
Mid weight – light fragrance. Sweet start and very lively – very charming. Hint of toast and very rich for a Médoc. Not big but a good drink. Brisk and clean.
