The 2017 Chateau Latour 2024 Ex-Chateau Release is a Bordeaux Blend from the esteemed Pauillac sub-region in Bordeaux, France. This wine, produced by Chateau Latour, is composed of 92.1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7.8% Merlot, and 0.1% Petit Verdot. The wine is sealed with a cork and boasts a deep garnet-purple color.
Professional reviews highlight the wine’s notable characteristics and aging potential. The Wine Independent awarded it a score of 98, describing it as having “showy notes of warm cassis, mulberries, and Morello cherries,” coupled with “emerging tertiary hints of unsmoked cigars, rose oil, cardamom, and star anise.” The review also emphasizes the wine's elegant style and mineral-laced palate, with velvety tannins and a lingering anise finish.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com also gave the wine a 98, praising its "concentrated, full-bodied, powerful, firm and graceful" nature. He highlighted the layers of ripe, sweet dark red fruits and salty tannins, noting the wine's incredible length and purity of fruit. Leve suggests the wine will be a pleasure to taste between 15-20 years after the vintage.
Jeb Dunnuck scored the wine 96 and commended its “ripe, round, beautifully balanced mouthfeel” and “ultra-fine tannins.” He highlighted classic notes of sweet red and black fruits, tobacco, graphite, and crushed stone, and noted its accessibility compared to earlier expectations.
Decanter also awarded the wine 98, remarking on its “bright blue-violet reflections” and “rich deep flavors with great dollops of black spice.” They noted the wine’s need for a longer aging period to soften its Pauillac tannins.
James Suckling provided the highest score of 99, describing it as "ripe and very powerful" with aromas of black licorice, currants, and violets. He praised its full-bodied, dense, and flavorful profile, with "lots of very new, flashy wood" and "round and polished tannins."
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate also gave it a 98, describing it as “one of the most elegant, great Latours ever,” with a blend of ripe blackcurrants, blackberry pie, and preserved black cherries. The wine was noted for its layer upon layer of fresh, crunchy black fruits, framed by super ripe, super fine-grained tannins.
Jane Anson awarded it a 98 as well, describing it as “a seriously pretty Latour” with “real lyricism.” She highlighted the wine’s sculpted character, which reflects the impact of biodynamic farming, and noted its vibrant, balanced nature with decades ahead of it.
Overall, the 2017 Chateau Latour is highly praised for its elegance, complexity, and aging potential, making it a standout wine from this vintage.