Deep ruby color. Intricate and layered nose of dried blackcurrant, forest floor, forest bramble, clove, vanilla and coffee. Dry, harmonious acidity, chocolate tannins, palate follows through (surprisingly tannic and sour plum finish). Full body. Fantastic balance. Long lingering finish. Better on nose than palate, a powerhouse more robust, albeit less finesse on the palate, than the other first groves. In decline.

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Tasted at the Academie du Vin from double magnum, even despite the large format and perfect provenance, the 1986 Latour still falls somewhat short of what you would expect given that this was a great Left Bank vintage. Now at 30 years of age, the nose is rather lackluster with dusty, soft, red berry fruit, with mossy and damp autumn leaves. The palate is medium-bodied with ferrous red berry fruit, firm and obdurate tannin, masculine and foursquare but without the requisite fruit concentration, which renders this Latour a bit...dour. With its herbaceous finish, one can only take solace in the fact that this First Growth cleaned up its act, pulled up its socks and has produced far superior vintages since this.

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