1983 Latour a Pomerol

A huge, rich wine for the vintage yet very fresh and youthful. The fruit jumps out of the glass with spice, plum and cedar character. Full-bodied with masses of fruit and tannins and a long, long finish. Needs some time. better after 1997.--The Bordeaux 50. James Suckling,Wine Spectator 1994

At one time a very delicious example, I made the mistake of holding on to the last bottles far too long. The wine has hit full maturity and now seems to be in decline. The color is a dark garnet with considerable amber at the edge. The nose shows some stewed notes of plums, prunes, caramel, chocolate, and vegetables. The wine still has some sweetness and plump fruit on the attack, but then narrows out and becomes a bit attenuated in the finish. It is starting to crack up and needs to be drunk up, Anticipated maturity: Drink up. Last tasted, 12/00. Jan 2003, www.robertparker.com

The 1983 Latour-à-Pomerol shows a lot of bricking. Very funky on the nose and not as clean as it ought to be, it is marked by aggressive tannins and a “doughnut” middle where it is missing the fruit. This is a disappointment given the showing of the likes of Lafleur this vintage. Tasted at the Latour à Pomerol dinner at Taillevent in London.