2000 Latour

Some distance from maturity but remarkably slightly more closed than the 2003; perhaps it has shut down and the 2003 will shortly do so? Still incredibly pure and focused with oyster shell and gravel characters alongside the prominent cassis and ripe blackcurrant flavours, it manages to be both weighty and intense and yet boasts near-perfect balance.

The 2000 Latour (a relatively abundant 14,000 cases compared to what they produced in 2009, 2008, or 2005) is “packed and stacked.” The extremely rich, black/purple color to the rim is followed by a wine with some subtle smoke, loads of minerals, a hint of vanilla, and plenty of creme de cassis as well as roasted meat and a slight scorched earth character. Broad, savory, and rich, the wine seems to be about 5 years away from full maturity and should drink well for at least 40-50 more years. A great effort, probably eclipsed only by 2003 and 2009.

Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #189, Jun 2010)

The 2000 Latour is a wine that I feel is overlooked by many cognoscenti, goggle-eyed by the 2005 or 2009. However, this is perhaps the pinnacle of the millennial vintage. It has a stunning bouquet with extraordinarily pure blackberry, raspberry, cedar and violets. The oak is seamlessly integrated. The palate has a satin-like texture thanks to the filigree tannin, almost Burgundy-like in texture though Pinot Noir rarely achieves this density or arching structure. It is extremely complex, the black fruit giving way to more red fruit with aeration, gradually mellowing, even if it would benefit from another four or five years in bottle. This is a majestic Latour. Tasted at the International Business & Wine Latour dinner at Ten Trinity.

Latour has made truly great wines in the past two decades—and this is one of the best. It has fabulous aromas of black truffles, currants, raspberry and dried flowers. Mind-blowing on the palate, it’s an emotional and soulful red.

– jamessuckling.com, Apr 2014

Quality 973 | Brand 998 | Economics 940 | buzz brand
Quality: Predicted life of 19 years, one of the longest drinking windows in its peer group, which averages 9 years Brand: Strong restaurant presence, featuring on 52 of the world's top wine lists, including Napa Wine Bar & Kitchen Economics: #2 most active wine at auction, its top 5 vintages having seen 4,896 75cl equivalent bottles traded in the past year Production: Lower production than its peer group average of 151,058 bottles

- www.wine-lister.com June 2017