1966 Latour
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Tasting notes
Tasted in Hong Kong, this was insanely good for an almost 60 year old wine, with a clarity of expression that is evident right from the vivid ruby colour, still with plenty of depth through the centre. Tertiary character on the palate, white truffle, leather, soy, brambled blackberry fruits, all shot through with freshness and lift. Standout wine of the lineup. In 1966, Château Latour was owned by a consortium of British shareholders, primarily the Pearson Group, along with Harveys of Bristol and the family of the 2nd Viscount Cowdray. The estate director was Jean-Paul Gardère - the man responsible for much of the replanting programme in the vineyards during the 1960s, as well as introducing second wine Les Forts de Latour in 1966. Also had an insanely good Château Latour 1985, but this 1966 was the wine of the night among a very starry lineup.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 1966 Latour was similar to previous bottles. Masculine and obstreperous, the 1966 is aloof at first. It doesn’t want to get to know you. Then it reveals gorgeous tobacco and pencil shaving notes that an only come from Pauillac. This example is more understated than others, and reluctantly unfolds in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with dry and firm tannins. The acidity is well judged and lends edge to a trenchantly conservative Latour that on this occasion begrudges doling out as much fruit as the 1962 Latour. Yet both the precision and backbone on the finish are outstanding and its unapologetic aloofness and “superiority complex” is utterly aborting. Though the winery had undergone a complete refit between vintages, there are stylistic similarities between the 1966 and the 1961, though the latter is endowed with more persistence and depth. Perhaps now approaching the end of its drinking plateau, I suspect larger formats of the 1966 will be the ones to hunt for. Tasted at the International Business & Wine Latour dinner at Ten Trinity.
The 1966 Latour remains an exemplar of the vintage, certainly one of the best, if not the best Left Bank wine of the vintage. Here, served blind, its quality was a beacon, quintessentially Pauillac with that trademark graphite seam through the intense black fruit, cold stone and a touch of tobacco. It remains undimmed by its age (though this was served from a magnum of impeccable provenance). The palate is medium-bodied and that graphite theme continues unabated, flanked by beautiful, precise and pure vestiges of black fruit. "Pure class" are the final two words of my tasting note and at 50 years old, they sum up this immensely impressive Château Latour. Tasted September 2016.
About the producer
One of Bordeaux’s five First Growths, as classified in 1855, Ch. Latour is among the most famous addresses in Pauillac and the world. The estate is renowned for its long-ageing, powerful and structured wines.