Chateau Latour Premier Cru Classe, Pauillac 2008

Composed of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 0.75% Cabernet Franc and 0.25% Petit Verdot, the 2008 Latour gives a medium to deep garnet color and slips sensuously out of the glass with Chinese five spice, unsmoked cigars, sandalwood and dried roses scents over a core of warm cassis, Black Forest cake, chocolate mint and smoked meats plus a waft of black olives and garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is well-sustained in the middle with generous black fruits and lovely red fruit sparks, layered with savory nuances and a firm, grainy backbone, finishing with bags of perfume and freshness.

An extraordinary wine, the classic 2008 Latour 13.5% natural alcohol) is composed of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc 40% of the production made it into the grand vin). Its dense purple color is followed by hints of espresso roast, cassis, burning embers, truffles and graphite. Rich with full-bodied power, beautiful purity and graciousness allied to a voluminous, savory, broad mouthfeel, this beauty will be drinkable in 4-5 years and will keep for three decades. Damn me for saying it, but I actually think the 2008 Latour will turn out to be even better than the 2005 or 2000. It is a more concentrated version of the 1996, and that’s saying something. Only 40% of the production made it into the grand vin. A fabulous infant, it exhibits extraordinarily pure notes of creme de cassis, crushed rocks, and flowers. The wine possesses a boatload of tannin, and it is even more backward than Lafite Rothschild. Nevertheless, the hallmark of a great wine and potentially top-notch vintage is the sweetness of the tannin, and that is evident. The wine is incredibly pure another hallmark of this unexpectedly magical vintage) with an amazingly long, textured, layered finish.