1996 Chateau Latour Bordeaux Blend

Bordeaux Blend - 750ML
Reg: $1,095.00
$875.00
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ETA: Mar. 2025
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REVIEWS

DC 98 JL 98 WS 96 NM 95 WA 95 JS 94
DC 98

Decanter, January 2021

Inky black even at 25 years old. A hugely impressive wine, with plenty of chewy tannins still in play, ripples of cassis, bilberry and blackberry fruits, set against olive paste, charcoal and eucalyptus. Things have...
JL 98

TheWineCellarInsider.com, January 2024

The best deal on a Latour with age kicks off with cedar, mint, cigar box, spice, currants and graphite. The full-bodied palate is balanced, spicy, vibrant, and multi-layered, with waves of sweet, pure, tobacco/laden...
WS 96

Wine Spectator, January 2007

Fabulous aromas of crushed raspberries plums and blackberries. Mind-blowing nose. Full-bodied with soft and silky tannins and a long caressing finish. Hard not to drink now but leave it alone.--'95/'96 Bordeaux...
NM 95

Neal Martin's Wine Journal, March 2012

Tasted at the Grand Cru Classe opening dinner at Haut-Brion. Sitting next to me, Frederic Engerer rather scorned the ’96, commenting that it would have been a better wine if made nowadays. I think he is being a bit mean...
WA 95

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, March 2022

(95+ points) From my cellar, the 1996 Latour is still a very youthful, tightly wound wine, unfurling in the glass with notions of blackcurrants, loamy soil, cigar wrapper and English walnuts. Medium to full-bodied, deep...
JS 94

jamessuckling.com, July 2016

This was a wine that was very hyped and always excellent. But now it shows the reality of the wet and cold vintage. Lots of basil leaf, lemon grass, and sage aromas with currant undertones. Medium body, fine tannins and a...

WINE DETAILS

Color & Type Red
Varietal Bordeaux Blend
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Sub-region Pauillac
Vintage 1996
Size 750ML
Percent alcohol 12.5%
Closure Cork

Chateau Latour, one of Bordeaux’s oldest and most famous wine producers, is a First Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification. It’s located in Pauillac near the border with Saint-Julien.

Vines have existed on the property since the 14th century, but Chateau Latour first began producing wines of great quality in the early eighteenth century. The estate gradually came to specialize in wine production, with 38 hectares of vines in 1759 and 47 hectares in 1794.

The vineyard currently has 78 hectares in production. The grapes from the 47 hectares surrounding the chateau, known as “L’Enclos”, are used in the production of the Grand Vin. The 30 hectares outside of the Enclos are used for the Forts de Latour and the Pauillac wines. The estate is planted with about 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot on gravelly hilltops and clay subsoil.

The wines of Chateau Latour need time to mature, generally at least ten or fifteen years, before they can be drunk. It is only then that the full complexity of the bouquet is expressed and the palate becomes sufficiently well integrated to be enjoyable and harmonious.

The 1996 Chateau Latour is a remarkable Bordeaux Blend that embodies the elegance and complexity of the Pauillac region in France. With its deep red color, this wine exudes sophistication and allure. The nose is filled with an intoxicating blend of crushed raspberries, plums, and blackberries, creating a mind-blowing aroma that captivates the senses.

On the palate, the 1996 Chateau Latour reveals its true magnificence. Full-bodied and velvety, this wine showcases soft and silky tannins that caress the tongue. The finish is long and lingering, leaving a lasting impression on the palate. While it is tempting to drink now, this wine is best enjoyed after 2010, allowing it to further develop and evolve.

Wine Spectator awarded this vintage an exceptional score of 96, recognizing its outstanding qualities. Jancis Robinson also praised this wine, noting its intense cassis and cedar aromas. Despite its current reserve, there is a core of plummy fruit waiting to be discovered. Neal Martin's Wine Journal described it as a medium-bodied wine with great definition and freshness, showcasing sultry aromas of blackberry, tar, cedar, and graphite.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also lauded this vintage, giving it a score of 95+. The reviewer commended its youthful nature and tight structure, highlighting its ripe tannins and bright acidity. Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com bestowed a remarkable score of 98, describing this wine as earthy, rich, and long-lasting.

However, not all reviews were unanimous in their praise. Decanter expressed some disappointment, with one bottle being oxidized and the other appearing more mature than expected. Nevertheless, this wine still showcases the quality and craftsmanship of Chateau Latour.

With a 12.5% alcohol content and a traditional cork closure, the 1996 Chateau Latour is a wine that demands attention and respect. Its rich history and exceptional characteristics make it a must-have for any serious wine collector or Bordeaux enthusiast.