Tasting Notes:

97 points Decanter

The nose showed warm and sunny, baked black and red fruit on the nose and a supple but dense texture. The impressive level of tannin noted in earlier tastings is softening now, and the wine is ready to drink but will hold. A lovely wine, outperforming the 1996 at this point. Picking was finished in September, taking place from the 13th to the 27th. The final blend is nearly three-quarters Cabernet Sauvignon, with just a drop of Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot and Merlot for the balance. (CC)

96 points Wine Advocate

A beauty, the opaque dense purple-colored 1995 exhibits jammy cassis, vanillin, and minerals in its fragrant but still youthful aromatics. Medium to full-bodied, with exceptional purity, superb concentration, and a long, intense, ripe, 40-second finish, this is a magnificent example of Latour. As the wine sat in the glass, scents of roasted espresso and toasty new oak emerged. This classic will require considerable cellaring. (RP)

94 points Vinous

Deep ruby-red color. More expressive aromas of crystallized dark berries, dark chocolate and animal fur. Lush and sweet; thick but delineated. Wonderfully concentrated. This, too, seems rather withdrawn today, but the strength of material is clear to see. Finishes with firm tannins and explosive fruit that goes on and on. (ST) 94+

94 points Wine Spectator

Black licorice, cedar, cigar box and fresh herbs. Full-bodied and very structured, with firm, silky tannins and a long finish. Needs time. (JS)

Cult Wines International Notes:

Château Latour is a legendary First Growth estate located in the Pauillac commune of Bordeaux. Its history dates back to the 14th century, with the name derived from a defensive tower (la tour) that once protected the Gironde estuary. The estate is widely considered one of the most prestigious and consistently high-quality wineries in the world, known for producing powerful, structured wines with exceptional aging potential.

The Grand Vin, or main wine, is primarily made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes sourced from the historic l’Enclos vineyard, a walled plot with gravelly soil. This unique terroir contributes to the wine’s immense depth, concentration, and signature notes of blackcurrant, cedar, and graphite. The estate also produces two other highly regarded wines: Les Forts de Latour, its second wine, and Pauillac de Latour, its third wine.

A key characteristic of Château Latour is its ability to produce outstanding wines even in challenging vintages. The winery has embraced modern techniques, such as the early adoption of stainless steel vats, while maintaining a commitment to traditional winemaking. The wines are known for their profound complexity, with tasting notes often including blackcurrants, spices, cocoa, and earthy undertones. While approachable in their youth, the Grand Vin is celebrated for its ability to evolve over many decades, developing layers of complexity and elegance with age.

Bottle Size:

6L Imperial. Equivalent to 8 standard 750mL bottles.

Large format bottles, such as this 6L bottle, are superior for aging wine because of the wine-to-oxygen ratio.

This leads to several benefits:

Slower Aging: Large format bottles have a much smaller cork-size-to-volume ratio. This means the amount of oxygen entering the bottle is dispersed into a much larger volume of wine. This lower wine-to-oxygen ratio significantly slows down the aging process.

Improved Flavor Development: Because of this slower aging, the wine in a large bottle develops more gracefully and often more evenly. The flavors and aromas have more time to integrate and evolve, leading to a more complex and harmonious final product.

Temperature Stability: Large format bottles are also more resilient to temperature fluctuations. A larger volume of liquid takes longer to heat up or cool down, providing a more stable environment for the wine. This is particularly beneficial for long-term storage, as it protects the wine from the damaging effects of extreme temperature changes.

Aesthetic and Social Appeal: Beyond the technical aspects, large format bottles have an undeniable “wow” factor. They are often used for celebratory occasions and special events, making them a centerpiece and a topic of conversation. The impressive size and rarity add to the sense of occasion.

Storage History:

Always stored properly in a climate-controlled cellar.

Condition:

Some minor label imperfections as shown. Otherwise perfect condition.

The bottle shown is the exact bottle being sold.