In the commune of Pauillac, home to three of the five Bordeaux first growths, lies Château Latour, an estate famed for the phenomenal longevity and consistent quality of the wine that it has been producing for centuries
Latour possesses some of the best soils in Bordeaux. Gently sloping, the gravelly surface provides exceptional drainage and consists of both large stones and small pebbles. Beneath this is a moist subsoil composed of marl, chalk and clay, which provides nourishment to the roots and encourages them to dig deeper, an important factor when considering that it is the oldest vines with the deepest roots that are often considered to produce the finest fruit. This is crucial in hot years, such as 2003.
Of the 92 hectares of vines which comprise the vineyards of Château Latour, the 47 hectares around the Château are known as the ‘Enclos’. The best and oldest vines of the estate are to be found here, in what is considered to be one of the best vineyards in the whole of Bordeaux.
Although Latour makes legendary wines in the best vintages, it is this estate’s consistent ability to turn out exceptional wines in vintages that are deemed to have been off-years that marks it out from its peers.
100 Points James Suckling
Latour has made truly great wines in the past two decades—and this is one of the best. It has fabulous aromas of black truffles, currants, raspberry and dried flowers. Mind-blowing on the palate, it’s an emotional and soulful red.
99 Points Robert Parker
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.
99 Points Vinous
The 2000 Latour is a wine that I feel is overlooked by many cognoscenti, goggle-eyed by the 2005 or 2009. However, this is perhaps the pinnacle of the millennial vintage. It has a stunning bouquet with extraordinarily pure blackberry, raspberry, cedar and violets. The oak is seamlessly integrated. The palate has a satin-like texture thanks to the filigree tannin, almost Burgundy-like in texture though Pinot Noir rarely achieves this density or arching structure. It is extremely complex, the black fruit giving way to more red fruit with aeration, gradually mellowing, even if it would benefit from another four or five years in bottle. This is a majestic Latour. Drink 2018-2060.
99 Points Wine Spectator
The fruit here is still very much in the primary phase, with a decidedly racy feel to the raspberry coulis, cassis and blackberry reduction notes that are streaked with violet, iron and graphite flavors. The superlong finish alternates between a tug of sweet earth and a velvety feel, as the fruit and grip are still melding together, but there’s so much vivacity here, there’s no concern with waiting it out. The wait may be a while though. Rather stunning that this can separate itself so clearly from the rest of 2000’s high-class field.