1985 Latour a Pomerol

Smooth, polished and supple, with a nice range of plum, cherry and exotic spices. The velvety finish echoes fruit and spice. Best now through 2005.--Latour à Pomerol vertical. Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator 1994

I continue to see a resemblance in the rich, full-bodied, concentrated, ripe, and sexy 1985 to the brilliant wine made at this estate in 1970. Full, long, and powerful, this expansively flavored wine has considerable length and plenty of tannin, and will require some cellaring prior to consumption. Anticipated maturity: Now-2005. Last tasted, 3/89.Robert Parker, Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition # B1

Tasted at the Latour-a-Pomerol vertical in London. The 1985 Latour-a-Pomerol has a beautiful nose that is far more compelling than the 1986. There is plenty of sous-bois here that infuses the black fruit and over 20 or 30 minutes, one observes rosemary and lavender scents developing, ultimately mutating into a Graves-like bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with supple and lithe tannin, a common trait of this vintage. There is more red fruit here than the "black" 1986, quite linear and focused, hints of cured meat/salami towards the refined finish. This is probably at its peak now, but well-stored bottles have another dozen years of pleasure to give. Tasted December 2015. Oct 2016, www.robertparker.com