Beschreibung:

Château Latour--Vintage 2006
12 bottles per lot
BORDEAUX FROM THE 2006 VINTAGE A surprisingly good year for the finest terroirs The 2006 vintage has produced many fine wines, and overall, it is superior to 2004, with lower acids and yields than 2004 and 2005 as well as alcohols that are less than in 2005, but higher than in 2004. The style of the Mdocs is one where the finest terroirs excelled. Why? Only well-financed top terroirs were in a position to do de-leafings as well as crop-thinnings once or twice during the summer months as well as make a severe selection once the wines were fermented. It was not unusual for a Mdoc classified growth to eliminate 40-65 of their production. 2006 appears to be a modern-day version of 1996 or 1986, two vintages that produced wines with high percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon in their blends, strong tannins, and, in the best cases, impressive concentration. The Pomerols are excellent across the board, including the satellite appellation of Lalande-de-Pomerol. These wines taste as though they are from a completely different vintage than those from the Mdoc. They possess sweet tannin, low acidity, ripe fruit, and loads of flesh and charm. In many ways, they remind me of the vastly underrated 2001 Pomerols. St.-Emilion appears to be the wild card in this vintage, with quality all over the board. Unlike 2005, which is a monumental vintage for all of St.-Emilion, 2006 includes some truly classic, great wines as well as some disappointments. Overall, it is good to very good, but this vast appellation, with its enormous diversity of terroirs, is more irregular than any other major appellation. As for longevity, the 2006 Mdocs should enjoy 20-35 years of life, but they will be more approachable in their youth than the 1986s or 1996s. The wines of Graves and Pomerol should be drinkable at reasonably young ages (much like the 2001s), but they should keep for two decades or more. Because of the diversity of the St.-Emilions, it is impossible to generalize. Some can be drunk young, whereas others have issues with high tannin levels that may or may not be resolved with both barrel and bottle aging. eRobertParker Lying in Corsham, Wiltshire (Octavian) Offered duty-paid, but available in bond In original wooden cases Château Latour--Vintage 2006 Pauillac, 1er cru classé Tasting note: The 2006 Latour performed even better from bottle than from barrel. Only 38 of the production (10,000 cases) made it into the grand vin, a blend of 86 Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest primarily Merlot and a small amount of Cabernet Franc. From barrel, I thought it was a modern day version of the 1996 or 1986, and certainly the 1996 comparison still holds. I thought it was somewhat austere from barrel, but that is no longer an issue. This is a beautifully rich Château Latour boasting a dense ruby/purple colour, a sweet, smoky, charcoal, cassis, graphite, and forest floor-scented nose, full body, an attractive freshness, and sweet, noble tannins. This layered Latour is one of the vintage's top dozen or so wines. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2030 Robert Parker Wine Advocate #181 Feb 2009 12 bottles per lot