2015 Latour

The 2015 Latour has such a refined nose that's perhaps more laid back than other vintages, unfolding with blackberry, raspberry, cedar and pencil shavings. This is discreet yet compelling and wonderfully delineated. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled tannins, exquisite balance, real weight and tension. This has a long and tender, graphite-tinged finish. As I wrote before: cool, calm and collected. Superb. Tasted at the 2015 Ten-Year-On tasting at Bordeaux Index.

Intense, a reminder of how Latour sets the benchmark for how to respond to hot vintages over in Pauillac. There is a muscular set to the tannins, woven through delicate slate and crayon edge, with touches of fragrant fennel and aniseed, black tea, chamomile, crushed roses, excellent quality. A rare Pauillac that is better than the 2014. Harvest September 15 to October 10, 30% of production in the main wine. Hélène Genin technical director.

Truffles, mint-leaf, blue fruits, blackberries, and currants pair with nuances of spice, smoke, leather, and cedar. Full-bodied, rich, and intense, there is a wealth of perfectly, ripe, creamy, opulent, sweet fruits that hold your interest, while expanding for over 50 seconds. There is length, opulence, balance, and flamboyance, along with vibrancy and refinement.