2011 Latour (2023 Release)

Tasted blind. Very deep crimson. Lighter nose than some – more high toned. Rich and dense, this wine really grew in the mouth. But tannins were lighter than in some. Attractive savoury finish. (JR)

The 2011 Latour is well-defined on the nose with blackberry, bilberry, cedar, hoisin and a touch of mint. There is impressive intensity here, regal and convincing. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins. There is a solid backbone to this wine, plenty of freshness, quite powerful towards the finish with superb persistence. Wonderful. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.

A delicious wine that stands out from many in the vintage. A ton of personality, with a sappy, raspberry, autumnal berry fruit as it opens and travels through the palate, with rose petals on the edge that give a beautiful uplift along with the classic trace of mint. Its tannins are a little more angular than you find in the 2010 and 2009, but it is starting to lengthen and open, although this was a vintage that was not immediately impressive in the way that the previous two had been. A stately Latour, one that needs another few years to really show its place. The last Latour to be sold en primeur in the old system. 34% of overall production. Harvest September 12 to 26.