Wine Advocate
byRobert Parkerthe4/30/1999
Latour's harvest occurred between September 22 and October 5. As my vintage report indicated, that is a period of considerable precipitation. Fifty-nine percent of the production was included in the grand vin, and the final blend consisted of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. The 1998 is a refined, elegant offering with a dark ruby color, sweet cassis fruit, attractive fat, surprisingly soft tannin, and a good finish. There is firmness and muscle in the background, but this is not an enormous or powerful Latour. However, it is very pure, with the vineyard's mineral/black fruit character presented in a medium-weight format. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025.