I had not tasted the 2012 Château Latour à Pomerol since the En Primeur week in 2013 when the new vintage was first shown. The wine is evolving at a proper, leisurely fashion and is still several years away from generously drinking, but the beautiful potential that it showed during En Primeur remains very much in evidence. As readers may recall, the 2012 vintage is particularly strong in Pomerol. The classically superb bouquet wafts from the glass in a blend of red and black plums, tobacco leaf, bitter chocolate, gravelly soil tones, just a whisper of Pomerol herb tones and a deft framing of cedary wood. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, nicely structured and utterly classic in proportion, with a fine core, ripe tannins and lovely focus and bounce on the long, nascently complex finish. All this beautiful wine needs is some time in the bottle to blossom. One of the great sleepers of the last ten years in Bordeaux! (Drink between 2022-2065)

93+ A very strong effort from this estate in the Jean-Pierre Moueix stable, this 2012 (14.5% natural alcohol) has a dense ruby/purple color, a big, sweet kiss of mocha, blackcurrants, and black cherries, and notes of truffle and earth. Full-bodied, ripe and one of the great successes from this estate over recent decades, the 2012 is a must-purchase for Pomerol enthusiasts. Silky tannins, superb concentration and a long, long finish suggest a good 20+ years of evolution at minimum. Bravo! - Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Bay, tobacco and mesquite notes lead the way, with a lush core of fig, boysenberry and plum fruit filling in quickly behind. Serious tobacco, charcoal and loam notes give the finish a hefty feel, but there’s purity and polish here, too. Cellar for maximum effect. Best from 2017 through 2027.—J.M.

A dense and layered red with dried strawberries, cocoa powder, chocolate and shelled walnuts. Full body, round and chewy tannins. Dense and deep. Needs three or four years to soften and come together. Excellent texture. Better after 2018.

(NM90-92 points) The Latour-a-Pomerol represents a significant level up from the La Grave-a-Pomerol on the nose, displays more delineation and complexity. There are subtle black fruits, wild hedgerow and hawthorn: broody and introverted at the moment but sure to unfold after bottling. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannins on the entry. The fruit is tightly wound with dark chocolate tinged blackberry and boysenberry fruit. There is a little oak to be absorbed on the finish and there is a fine saline aftertaste. It does not quite possess the raw materials that engender a top flight Latour-a-Pomerol, nonetheless it will need several years in bottle and may surprise a few people – including myself. Tasted April 2013.