Latour - Pauillac 1985

Vinous

90

byNeal Martinthe7/16/2025

The 1985 Latour comes from a period where the First Growth was not firing on all cylinders. This offers black fruit laced with cedar and damp loamy scents, tertiary and a little smoky in style. The palate is well balanced though it does not deliver the complexity of a top Latour. There is gentle grip but it needs more finesse towards the finish. This bottle is actually better than others I have drunk in the past, but it's not a patch on the 1982 or 1990, also recently tasted. Tasted at the 1985 dinner at Noble Rot Mayfair.

Wine Spectator

93

byJames Molesworththe8/31/2000

Rich and ripe wine. Dark red color with an amber edge. Loads of meat, berry and tobacco character on the nose. Very rich. Full-bodied, with soft, velvety tannins and a long, ultraripe fruit finish. Still very fresh and young.--Latour vertical. Best from 2000 through 2015.

Wine Advocate

88

byRobert Parkerthe6/1/2000

This wine was tasted from my personal collection, following the Latour tasting. The 1985 Latour is a soft, open-knit example, without much structure, delineation, and depth. The dark ruby color displays amber at the edge. The bouquet of tobacco, black fruits, herbs, earth, and new oak is pleasant, but neither intense nor persistent. The wine is medium-bodied, with sweet fruit on the attack, but it narrows out to reveal dry tannin and herbaceous notes. Anticipated maturity: now-2012.

Wine Advocate

87

byRobert Parkerthe1/1/1998

This has always been a weak, open-knit, fruity, light-styled Latour. The wine exhibits a deep ruby color with some lightening at the edge. There is a jammy, berry fragrance intertwined with herbs and earth. In the mouth, the wine is surprisingly light, and has always been accessible. There is little grip, tannin, or extract in the finish, which quickly disappears. Anticipated maturity: Now-2008. Last tasted 1/97

Wine Advocate

87

byRobert Parkerthe8/1/1993

Somewhat weak when considered in the context of what Latour is capable of achieving, the 1985 is medium-bodied, has a good but not dense ruby color, a moderately intense berry fragrance, fine depth and length, but is surprisingly light and accessible for the style of this estate. Anticipated maturity: Now-2008. Last tasted, 1/93