($120-$179) Deep red-ruby. Enticing aromas of roasted plum, currant, graphite and smoky oak. Precise, spicy and juicy; more herbal than the 2002 or 2003 but also very intensely flavored and not at all hard. This very long, pure Latour seems to be shutting down today.

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Dark crimson. Oyster shells and scent. Sleek and polished. Bit of a lounge lizard but one that is convincing. Fresh and scented – a bit like a spring washing line - with a great positive finish. Very accomplished wine. Can the 2000 really trump this?

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A brilliant offering, which should be drinkable much earlier than the blockbuster 2000, the 2001 Latour boasts an inky/ruby/purple color to the rim as well as a glorious bouquet of black currants, crushed stones, vanilla, and hints of truffles and oak. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance primarily Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it reveals a sweetness on the palate that is atypical for such a young Latour. The beautiful integration of tannin, acidity, and wood is stunning. The wine flows across the palate with fabulous texture, purity, and presence. This luscious, full-bodied Latour was surprisingly open-knit on the three occasions I tasted it from bottle. However, do not mistake its aging ability as this 2001, despite its precociousness, will last 20-25 years.

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Extremely attractive aromas of blackberries and currants with just a hint of mineral and oak. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, long finish. As it was from barrel; powerful and fast. Serious stuff.

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Young (From 2014 To 2032)