Tasted at the offices of JP Moueix. The Latour-a-Pomerol 2009 has a very intense bouquet, real “thrust” from the glass with dark cherries, graphite, dried rose petals and a touch of cassis. Very fine definition and sense of mineralite. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, very fine symmetry, dark berries, summer fruit, crushed stone with a touch of citrus peel towards the finish. Masculine, almost austere finish suggesting that this is a Pomerol to put away. Tasted September 2011.

A nice, old-school style, with roasted mesquite, tobacco leaf and espresso flavors up front, following through to bittersweet ganache and mulled dark currant notes on the still–slightly taut, but well-framed, finish. Should flesh out a bit more with cellaring. Best from 2014 through 2030. 2,200 cases made. — JM

A wine that is smoky and meaty, with hints of dried dark fruits. Full and juicy, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Loads of cocoa character. Balanced and pretty. Try it after 2018. - jamessuckling.com

Good deep ruby-red. Superripe aromas of blackberry, bitter chocolate and mocha show an almost liqueur-like quality and are complemented by sexy, oaky torrefaction. Very supple, tactile and sweet, but with sound balancing acidity giving lift and definition to the ripe blueberry and cassis flavors. Finishes very fresh and long, with toothdusting but very smooth tannins that will call for several years of bottle aging. An excellent and impressively concentrated Latour a Pomerol that comes across as refined and lively for all its power and density.

A beautiful wine from the Moueix stable of right bank offerings, the 2009 Latour a Pomerol displays a dense plum/ruby/purple color along with a bouquet of mocha, roasted nuts, wood smoke, truffles and sweet cherries. Full-bodied, round and generous with sweet tannin, considerable power and no hard edges, this is a surprisingly up-front, precocious effort that can be drunk now or cellared for two decades.

Dark red. Superripe aromas of plum, black raspberry, mocha, herbs and spices. Then dense and backward on the palate, with a restrained sweetness to the rich flavors of bitter cherry and menthol. Some herbal nuances contribute to the wine's serious mien. Finishes with firm tannic spine and late notes of woodsmoke and tobacco. Very young, and a tough read today.