Grand Vin de Chateau Latour Grand Cru Classé 2015

"Whilst bud burst was late, 2015 actually turned out to be an early vintage due to hot summer weather. It was also a vintage of contrasts, with exceptionally hot and dry periods (June and July) and extremely wet months (August and September). The beginning of September was cool and sunny but conditions changed following a very rainy weekend (60 mm in 2 days) in the second week which weakened the grapes. The following weeks were unsettled with significant rainfall requiring increased surveillance of botrytis throughout the harvest. Harvesting of the Merlot started on 15th September with the first plots and continued until 21st September. We started picking the Cabernet Sauvignon on 28th September and finished on 10th October."

"Really gorgeous aromatics, so perfumed, acutely aromatic, pristine, clear and precise with tobacco, cocoa, ash and liquorice. Round, heady, a sexy wine, with a lot to say, generous and open, smooth and layered – this deepens straight away vertically. I love the juiciness, there’s clarity to the raspberry, blueberry and blackcurrant fruit, sleek and joyful but the texture is there with a wet stone and liquorice to the tannins that gives such grip and edge of power. Still youthful and quite serious but there’s something so appealing about it with a sexy character and complexity. Bright and sharp but also with sweetness from the ripe vintage and savoury notes of truffle, cocoa, dark chocolate giving contrast. Such enjoyable floral violet scents too that follow the wine from start to finish. Excellently controlled and delivered with supreme appeal. One you want to sit with and take your time over, and then gulp down! 69 IPT, 30% of production. Harvest 15 september to 10 October. Technical director Hélène Genin.” (GH)   (1/2023) Decanter 98 Points