A bottle of 1988 Grand Vin de Château Latour from Bordeaux's Pauillac appellation from one of the most lauded vintages of the 20th Century.
Château Latour is rated as a First Growth under the 1855 Bordeaux Classification and is generally considered to be the most powerful of them all in terms of longevity and depth of flavour. The core of the fruit comes from the 45 hectare L'Enclos vineyard, which is located next to the Château and winery. Plantings are 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
'The 1988 Latour is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It has quite a deep colour considering that it is now 30 years old with little maturation on its rim. I appreciate the nose here: quite dense at first and yet well-defined, plenty of fruit extant that is now laced with sandalwood, sous-bois, sage and just a hint of liquorish. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannin. This Latour is quite savory in style with touches of allspice, meat juices infusing the black fruit that dovetail into a tarry, graphite finish. It is less austere than I was expecting and the substance and freshness suggests that it will continue to drink well for a number of years. Tasted at the château. 2018 - 2035. 93/100' Neal Martin, tasted 2018
This Chateau Latour 1988 sold at our online auction for £440
