LES FORTS DE LATOUR 2nd wine of Ch. Latour, Pauillac 2003 Bottle (los)

Description

Les Forts de Latour 2003 is now a mature Pauillac, offering the pleasures of a well aged Bordeaux: cassis and plum alongside chocolate, cedar, spice and savoury leafy notes. Its once opulent fruit may have softened into a mellow, integrated palate, with gentle tannins and a lingering, classic finish. The critics’ published drinking windows have passed, so this is a bottle to enjoy now rather than cellar further. It has been stored well so is in sound condition, and should still offer a rewarding experience, individual bottles can vary at this age. Robert M. Parker Jr. awarded it 92/100, with James Suckling and Vinous each giving 91/100. Jancis Robinson scored it 16.5/20, praising its freshness and elegance.

*****

THE WINE ADVOCATE 92 points/100
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Drink Date: 2006 - 2021
The 2003 Les Forts de la Tour possesses a dense ruby/plum/purple color in addition to notions of cold steel, lead pencil shavings, and creme de cassis. Full-bodied, opulent, heady, rich, and lush, it can be drunk now or cellared for 15+ years.

JAMES SUCKLING 91 points/100
Lots of chocolate and bright berry character on the nose. Full bodied, with round and velvety tannins, and a juicy, fruity, and delicious finish. Yummy wine, so yummy. Why wait? - March 2011

VINOUS 91 points/100
Deep ruby-red. Wonderfully vinous and sappy for the vintage, with aromas of redcurrant, mineral and spice. Sweet, rich, lush and exotic but with good spice character giving lift to the flavors. A very fine-grained wine that will give relatively early pleasure, but it can't match the 2004 or 2005 for backbone. Finishes dry and classic, with plenty of richness.
Stephen Tanzer, May 2006

JANCIS ROBINSON 16.5 points/20
Bricky garnet. Strong leafy/cedary aroma. Lifted freshness. On the herbaceous side but dry in a refined way. Elegant in a herbaceous but not green style. Lithe and fresh. Julia Harding MW Drink 2010 - 2015