Chateau Latour 2002

WEINWISSER: "Tiefes, sattes Bordeauxrot mit lila Schimmer am Rand. Konzentriertes, tiefgründiges Bouquet, Cassis, Palisander, dunkle Nüsse, Herbsttrompeten, viel Luft brauchend. Sehr fleischiger, zupackender Gaumen, intensive Gerbstofftextur, mit einer massiven Adstringenz verbunden, primäre Frucht etwas im Hintergrund, sich in einer Mischung von blauen und schwarzen Früchten zeigend, gewaltiger Biss mit sehr kernigen Noten im Finale, aufgrund des Kraftauftaktes und der Präsenz massiger Tannine deutlich maskuliner als der 2001er."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The wine of the vintage? There are only 10,000 cases of this extraordinarily rich, dense 2002 that is as powerful as the 2003 (even the alcohol levels are nearly the same, 12.85%) . It is dark ruby/purple to the rim, with notes of English walnuts, crushed rocks, black currants, and forest floor, dense, full-bodied, and opulent, yet classic with spectacular aromatics, marvelous purity, and a full-bodied finish that lasts just over 50+ seconds. Huge richness and the sweetness of the tannin are somewhat deceptive as this wine seems set for a long life. Administrator Frederic Engerer seems to be more pleased with what Latour achieved in 2002 than in any other recent vintage. Hats off to him for an extraordinary accomplishment in a vintage that wouldn’t have been expected to produce the raw materials to achieve something at this level of quality. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2045."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubin, opaker Kern, zarte Randaufhellung. Rauchig-würzig, schwarze Frucht, Nuancen von Grafit, Zedernholz, zart nach Lakritze und Cassis. Am Gaumen Massiv, engmaschig, sehr engmaschig und von festem Tannin getragen, das Zeit braucht, um sich vollends zu integrierten, ein sehr komplexer, aber alles andere als charmanter Wein, eindrucksvoll und monolithisch zugleich, vielleich erst nach 30 Jahren Flaschenreife antrinkbar."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Loads of ripe currants, licorice and toasted oak on the nose. Subtle yet impressive. Full-bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit and chewy tannins. Big and juicy. Deep midpalate for a 2002. This is the wine of the vintage. A solid, classic Latour that needs bottle age. Best after 2012."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "With a nose filled with walnut, cassis, tobacco, blackberry and forest floor aromas. The wine is medium/full bodied with a refined character. The finish is all about the sweet, lush rich, balanced textures and classy, stylish cassis."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Mid crimson with a pale rim. Savoury, burly, earthy nose. Mid weight and some density. Dry finish as though the oak were still in play. Zesty. Quite intense. After 24 hours it looked even paler and more skinny. Pretty rigid but not really very Latour."