1971 Château Latour

The 1971 Latour is a vintage that I have tasted three or four times in the past, including from magnum at the château. Reputed as one of the best Left Bank ‘71s in what was a weak vintage for the Médoc, Latour has a dense, blackberry, graphite and tobacco nose that is unapologetically old school, rough-hewn but clearly demonstrating more vigor than many of its peers. The tannins are certainly rather tough and obdurate and despite its age, decanting is advised to allow it time to mellow and shave off its edges. The 1971 is a foursquare, masculine, slightly austere Latour, and yet there is more density and freshness than the other 1971 First Growths, with commendable persistence on the finish. Maybe it lacks the “fun factor” but if you demand classic Claret from this vintage, this is where to head. Tasted at a private dinner in Bordeaux.

This was a stunning wine, and a quite stunning 1971. Rich, medicinal, minty, sweet, flattering but with great Latour structure. Wonderful balance. Long. Gorgeous for current drinking. (JR)

Double magnum .  Wonderfully appetising nose and then quite delicate and transparent on the palate for a Latour. Very pure and almost menthol in its clarity. Sweet start, dry finish. It fell away a little in the glass, suggesting that it has probably reached its peak – certainly very much more developed and less concentrated than the 1970. (JR)