Minerals and savour and sappiness. Certainly nothing as simple as fruit! Although in this vintage Latour does not outshine the others as obviously as in some more recent years. Really sappy perfume. Great rich spread across the palate is impressive. Density and energy. Dry finish. Good lift. Suitably dense and very mineral. But polished too. 18.5/20

Not a blockbuster the 1998 possesses a dark garnet/purple color in addition to a complex bouquet of underbrush cedar walnuts and licorice-tinged black currants. Although medium to full-bodied and moderately tannic it lacks the expansiveness in the mid-palate necessary to be truly great. Moreover the tannin is slightly aggressive although that is hardly unusual in such a young Latour. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2030.

Plenty of raspberry dark chocolate and mint on the nose. Full-bodied with licorice and sweet tobacco character and a cedar undertone. Outstanding. Pop the cork.-'88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Drink now. 19165 cases made. -JS