Introducing the captivating 2016 Latour Martillac, a Bordeaux Blend that hails from the esteemed Pessac Leognan region in Bordeaux, France. This red wine showcases the mastery of Latour Martillac, a renowned producer known for crafting exceptional wines that embody the essence of the terroir. With a deep garnet-purple hue, this wine is an alluring sight that promises a sensory journey.
On the nose, the 2016 Latour Martillac reveals a symphony of aromas that captivate the senses. Warm plums, luscious kirsch, and tantalizing redcurrant jelly dance together, creating an aromatic bouquet that is simply irresistible. As the wine opens up, delicate hints of bay leaves, iron ore, and black soil add layers of complexity, elevating the olfactory experience.
Medium-bodied and exuding elegance, this wine showcases a well-sustained mid-palate of muscular fruit. The firm backbone of fine-grained tannins lends structure and depth, while a touch of iron ore and black soil brings a unique mineral quality to the forefront. The 2016 Latour Martillac is a symphony of flavors, with each sip revealing new nuances and dimensions.
Renowned wine critic Lisa Perrotti-Brown awarded this exquisite creation a stellar score of 93 points in her review for Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. She praises its muscular fruit, firm tannins, and wonderful freshness, noting a long and satisfying finish. James Suckling, another esteemed critic, awarded the wine an impressive score of 94 points, describing it as perfumed with blackberry and blueberry aromas. He commends the tight and silky tannins, which he finds polished and beautiful.
Wine Enthusiast also acknowledges the potential of this structured wine, awarding it a score of 93 points. The publication suggests allowing the richness of the wine to fully develop, recommending a drinking window that starts in 2025. Jeb Dunnuck echoes this sentiment, awarding the wine a score of 91 points and stating that it will benefit from cellaring for 4-5 years before reaching its peak.
Decanter, in their review, highlights the wine's high aromatic profile and density of brambled blackberry and cassis. They note a touch of austerity and high acidity, balanced by the fruit and tannin, and predict that it will age exceptionally well. Jeff Leve, from TheWineCellarInsider.com, praises the wine's smoky, black, and red fruits, describing it as polished, soft, silky, and fresh.
Most recently, Jane Anson awarded the 2016 Latour Martillac an impressive score of 95 points in her review. She considers it a superb vintage and encourages enthusiasts to seek out this wine. While noting the current presence of racy tannins, she finds charm in its confidence and suggests decanting for a few hours to fully enjoy its complex flavors of liquorice, cocoa beans, crème de cassis, espresso, and brambled autumnal fruits.
Overall, the 2016 Latour Martillac is a wine of exceptional quality and character. It promises a delightful sensory experience both now and in the years to come. Whether enjoyed in its youth or after some time in the cellar, this Bordeaux Blend will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on discerning palates.