CHATEAU LATOUR 1er Grand Cru Classe, Pauillac 1997 Bottle

Description

A more approachable, lighter expression of Latour, with savoury notes of blackcurrant, roasted nuts, tobacco, minerals and subtle wood. Stephen Tanzer praised its concentration, ripe acidity and excellent length, while Robert M. Parker Jr. described a smooth, well-textured wine with walnut-tinged fruit and ripe tannins.

Jancis Robinson found her bottle more evolved and simple, with a dry finish, an honest reminder that mature bottles can vary. Offered at a 'mature wine discovery price' for those curious to explore this atypical vintage.

91 points, Vinous · 89 points, The Wine Advocate · 17/20, Jancis Robinson

*****

VINOUS 91 points/100
Medium red. Roasted currant, lead pencil, grilled nuts, tobacco and minerals on the nose. Smooth, vinous and concentrated, with lovely depth of flavor and ripe acidity for the vintage. Finishes with even tannins and excellent length. A very successful '97. - Stephen Tanzer

THE WINE ADVOCATE 89 points/100
Drink Date: 2000 - 2014
Reviewed by Robert M. Parker, Jr., Issue Date 21st Apr 2000
"A flavorful, savory Latour, without a great deal of density or power, the 1997 exhibits sweet, walnut-tinged, black currant fruit intertwined with minerals and subtle wood. Nicely-textured, with adequate acidity, ripe tannin, and a medium-bodied finish, this smooth effort should drink well for 12-14 years."

JANCIS ROBINSON 17 points/20
Drink: 2008 - 2018
A disappointment. This bottle looked more evolved and paler than the Lafite. Rather light and sweet. Definitely atypical Latour in an off vintage. Lacks lift and vivacity. Solid but rather simple with a very dry finish. I’m giving quite late drinking dates on the assumption that this wine will behave like other vintages of Latour – even though it doesn’t taste like them. Jancis Robinson