Château Latour - Pauillac 1998

Une année très contrastée : température moyenne élevée, faible humidité de l'air, 1998 est donc théoriquement une année chaude et sèche... mais pourtant fortement perturbée! Malgré des vendanges pluvieuses, un "petit miracle viticole" a permis à la propriété cependant de produire un grand millésime de garde.

Wine Advocate

90 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/2001

Not a blockbuster, the 1998 possesses a dark garnet/purple color in addition to a complex bouquet of underbrush, cedar, walnuts, and licorice-tinged black currants. Although medium to full-bodied and moderately tannic, it lacks the expansiveness in the mid-palate necessary to be truly great. Moreover, the tannin is slightly aggressive, although that is hardly unusual in such a young Latour. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2030.

Wine Spectator

89 / 100

par James Suckling le 31/01/2001

Plenty of currant, raspberry and mineral aromas, with hints of leaf and wet earth. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a tar, berry and cherry aftertaste. Slightly rustic for Latour. Not as exciting as I remember from barrel. Best after 2008.

Wine Advocate

89-91 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/2000

This opaque ruby/purple-colored, closed 1998 reveals some of the vintage's tell-tale harsh tannin in the finish. There are abundant quantities of ripe black currant fruit, medium body, and a sweet attack, but a narrow, tough finish. The wine should be outstanding, but it is a firmly-structured Latour. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025.

Wine Advocate

89-91 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/1999

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.