Chateau Latour 2000

The 2000 Latour (a relatively abundant 14,000 cases compared to what they produced in 2009, 2008, or 2005) is "packed and stacked." The extremely rich, black/purple color to the rim is followed by a wine with some subtle smoke, loads of minerals, a hint of vanilla, and plenty of creme de cassis as well as roasted meat and a slight scorched earth character. Broad, savory, and rich, the wine seems to be about 5 years away from full maturity and should drink well for at least 40-50 more years. A great effort, probably eclipsed only by 2003 and 2009.

My original ratings appear to have been dead on the money for both of these efforts from Chateau Latour.

Only 48% of the crop made it into the prodigious 2000 Latour. A synthesis in style between the 1996, 1990, and 1982, it has the structure of the 1996, but the succulence, ripeness, and rich, concentrated fruit of both the 1990 and 1982. The 2000's satuiated ruby/purple colour is accompanied by sumptuous aromas of jammy black fruits intermixed with earth, vanilla, grilled nuts, and minerals. It is remarkably seamless for a young Latour, but as the wines sits in the glass, its acid and unevolved high tannin level begin to make an impact. This is an unctuously styled effort where tasters may not discern the tannin until the finish. A fascinating offering, it will flirt with perfection when fully mature. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050.

There are only 14,000 cases (only 48% of the crop made it into the grand vin) of the 2000, which flirts with perfection. Truly great stuff, it reveals perfect equilibrium, great finesse, yet colossal size, with a thickness and density that rival the brilliant 1996. This saturated black ruby/purple colored wine seems almost discreet on first inspection, but with aeration, notes of vanilla, exceptionally pure, mineral-infused creme de cassis, and earth emerge. Full-bodied and tannic, it should come close to representing perfection. Latour's 2000 is hard to compare with previous vintages. It obviously does not have the opulence of the 1990 and 1982, yet there is an extraordinary purity, delineation, seamlessness, and freshness to this wine that sets it apart from previous vintages. In any event, it is prodigious, with at least five decades of evolution ahead of it. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2050.

Only 48% of the crop made it into the prodigious 2000 Latour. The wine's saturated ruby/purple color is accompanied by sumptuous aromas of jammy black fruits intermixed with earth, vanilla, grilled nuts, and minerals. It is remarkably seamless for a young Latour, but as the wine sits in the glass, its acid and unevolved high tannin level begin to make an impact. This is an unctuously-styled effort where tasters may not discern the tannin until the finish. A fascinating offering, it will flirt with perfection when fully mature. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050.

The 2000 Latour is one of the vintage's most compelling efforts. Yields from the old vines from which most of this cuvee is produced were 37 hectoliters per hectare. Forty-eight percent of the crop was utilized in the grand vin. It is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot.

A prodigious effort, it appears to be the star of the Medoc first-growths. Despite its thick, viscous appeal, the total acid is 3.7 grams per liter, quite high considering that most great vintages of Latour possess 3.2-3.3. This wine possesses sweet tannin, amazing presence and concentration, extraordinary purity, and phenomenally ripe, pristine, unctuous, but not heavy notes of black fruits. It is a model of power, symmetry, and grace, with a finish that lasts for over 45 seconds. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2050.

This has a very fine nose: wonderful lift and definition, blackberry, raspberry, graphite, a touch of espresso, smoke and burning embers. In the background, there is a slight hickory element. The palate is medium-bodied, fine but very structured tannins, blackberry, soy, tar, graphite and an ethereal sense of symmetry towards the vibrant, brilliantly defined finish. Aristocratic. Drink 2015-2050.

Nose solid and firm, quite tight, very fine and elegant, hiding lots of power and complexity, fruit on palate solid, weighty tannins very youthful, great elegance and class, young thoroughbred racehorse. Will age fantastically. Drink 2012- 2020. Date tasted 7th July 09.

Deep garnet in color, the 2000 Latour has aromas of kirsch, crème de cassis and dried mulberries with nuances of leather, incense, salami and fertile loam. The palate is just starting to mature into a wonderfully satiny texture, with layer upon layer of berry preserve, baking spice and earth notes resulting in a wine of incredible poise.