12 bottles per lot
Details
Château Latour--Vintage 1986
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
The winter was rainy and fairly mild. Budbreak was quite late, on 14 April. May was very hot, producing an explosion of growth and the vines partially caught up. Flowering began on 16 June and continued in excellent conditions. The summer was superb and very dry; the vines developed remarkably, to such an extent that, for the first time at Latour, a general crop-thinning was conducted in order to improve concentration. Early September was very fine but deteriorated in the middle of the month with rain that made the grapes swell. Fortunately the sun came back at the end of the month with easterly winds which avoided the risk of grey rot and accelerated ripening. The harvests took place from 30 September to 16 October in magnificent sunshine.
Tasting note:
A good note in 1998, attractive, well balanced. Most recently: very deep, intense and still youthful-looking for a 20-year old wine; crisp fruit, touch of ginger, slightly 'sweaty' tannic nose; good flavour, lively, touch of iron and a bit of a bite. Needs more time. Last tasted June 2004 *(***) 2010 and beyond. MB
12 bottles per lot
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
The winter was rainy and fairly mild. Budbreak was quite late, on 14 April. May was very hot, producing an explosion of growth and the vines partially caught up. Flowering began on 16 June and continued in excellent conditions. The summer was superb and very dry; the vines developed remarkably, to such an extent that, for the first time at Latour, a general crop-thinning was conducted in order to improve concentration. Early September was very fine but deteriorated in the middle of the month with rain that made the grapes swell. Fortunately the sun came back at the end of the month with easterly winds which avoided the risk of grey rot and accelerated ripening. The harvests took place from 30 September to 16 October in magnificent sunshine.
Tasting note:
A good note in 1998, attractive, well balanced. Most recently: very deep, intense and still youthful-looking for a 20-year old wine; crisp fruit, touch of ginger, slightly 'sweaty' tannic nose; good flavour, lively, touch of iron and a bit of a bite. Needs more time. Last tasted June 2004 *(***) 2010 and beyond. MB
12 bottles per lot