Mathusalem - Château Latour - Pauillac 2012

Vinous

96 / 100

par Neal Martin le 06/04/2020

The 2012 Latour has a potent bouquet of blackberry, graphite and distinctive tertiary notes [instead of more marine scents observed four years earlier]. Initially, the palate is slightly disjointed on the entry and displays a subtle herbal quality, plus hints of pencil shavings. The 2012 demands a few minutes to really coalesce and achieve the precision and pixelation that have been the hallmark of this Grand Vin in its youth. Layers of black fruit coat the mouth, and a bitter edge lends tension, particularly toward the very persistent finish. Though its release implies, and the rhetoric from the château indicates, that it is ready to drink, if you want my advice, cellar the 2012 for another five or six years to witness it in full flight. It has always been a candidate for wine of the vintage... just have a bit of patience. 

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

par Lisa Perrotti-Brown le 05/03/2020

The 2012 Latour is a blend of 90.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.6% Merlot and 0.2% Petit Verdot. Medium to deep garnet colored, the nose slowly, measuredly emerges with notions of preserved Morello cherries, baked blackcurrants and blackberry compote, giving way to nuances of pencil shavings, unsmoked cigars, Chinese five spice and sandalwood plus ever so subtle hints of cardamom and eucalyptus. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-coating black and red fruit preserves with a firm, grainy-textured frame and fantastic freshness, finishing with a veritable firework display of lingering spices and minerals. This is a more restrained, relatively elegant vintage of Latour that may not have that “iron fist in a velvet glove” power of the greatest vintages but nonetheless struts its superior terroir and behind-the-scenes savoir faire with impressive panache. It is drinking nicely now with suitably rounded-off, approachable tannins, and the tertiary characters are just beginning to bring some more cerebral elements into the compote of temptingly primary black fruits. But, if you’re looking to drink it in full, flamboyant swing, give it another 5-10 years in bottle and drink it over the next 20-25 years+.
96+

Wine Advocate

97 / 100

par Neal Martin le 28/10/2016

Tasted blind at the 2012 Southwold tasting, the 2012 Latour put in a deeply impressive showing. It has a precise bouquet: graphite-infused black fruit, hints of iodine and a light marine influence—shucked oyster shell and Japanese nori. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, well-judged acidity, quite sensual and harmonious with seductive purity on the finish. This possesses exquisite precision and detail that evinces a wine of genuine class. Of course, perhaps this tasting note is irrelevant for the moment, at least until the Grand Vin is released onto the market. It will be intriguing to re-taste it when it does see the light of day. Tasted January 2012.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

par Robert Parker le 30/04/2015

A grand vin, the 2012 Latour (90.2% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9.8% Merlot) probably won’t be released to the market for another 7-8 years. Representing only 36% of the crop, it has an opaque ruby/purple color, a beautiful nose of crushed rock and blueberry and blackcurrant fruit, sweet tannin and a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel. The striking purity and intellectually satisfying texture and finish all are indicative of this great first-growth that has overcome all of the challenges of 2012 in the Médoc. It finishes long, rich and convincing. Of course, this isn’t in the league with the great vintages of 2000, 2003, 2005, 2009 and 2010, but it has nothing to be ashamed of. This wine should drink well for 25-30 years, and will probably prove to be one of the longest-lived of the 2012  Médocs.(94+) 

Jamessuckling.com

94 / 100

par James Suckling le 15/02/2015

Very perfumed with hints of minerals, currants, wet earth and stones. Full-bodied, muscular and chewy. Polished tannins, tight acidity and a savory finish. Very reserved. Muscular. Better in 2019.

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

par James Molesworth le 10/02/2015

This features a terrific, gorgeously delineated graphite note that runs from start to finish, letting the dark plum, black cherry and cassis fruit play out beautifully. Shows a lovely backdrop of charcoal and iron on the finish. Ever so slightly rigid, with a strong graphite expression, this is straight rather than expansive in feel, but seriously long nonetheless. Best from 2018 through 2030. 9,819 cases made. –JM

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

91-94 / 100

par Ian D'Agata le 30/06/2013

(90% cabernet sauvignon, and 10% merlot; 73 IPT; 12.8% alcohol; 36% of the total crop):  Dark ruby.  Perfumed nose of blackcurrant, violet, ink and flint.  Bright acids and very smooth tannins nicely frame and support the blackcurrant and cedar flavors.  Finishes long and suave, with a lingering graphite note.  This sample actually contained 0.2% petit verdot.  I didn't find any of the green notes that plague many Left Bank wines in this vintage.

Le Point

17,5-18 / 100

par Jacques Dupont le 16/05/2013

Gelée de framboise, sucrosité, bouche ronde, tendue, fraîche, équilibrée, tanins soyeux, long, tendu, frais et gourmand. O= 2018 G= 15 ans.

Asian Palate

93 / 100

par Jeannie Cho Lee MW le 15/05/2013

Rich, dense, classic Latour with wonderful depth and balance and very long finish. Firm, plush tannins and excellent concentration. The yields were 39 hl/ha which is average but selection was severe to produce this quality level.

Wine Advocate

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par Neal Martin le 02/05/2013

Tasted en primeur at the château. The Grand Vin is a blend of 90.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.6% Merlot and a pinch of Petit Verdot and achieves a modest 12.8% alcohol. It was cropped between 24 September with the Merlot finishing on 16 October. It has a graphite-tinged bouquet with a touch of seaweed and iodine. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, silky tannins. There is plenty of mineral-rich black fruit, perhaps a little spicier than the other First Growths, with a complex, structured finish that might not possess the length of the 2009 or 2010, but has a pure, primal sensuality that is alluring. It should taste wonderful by the time of release in 2021. Tasted April 2013

timatkin.com

97 / 100

par Tim Atkin MW le 30/04/2013

All of the first growths made very good wines in 2012, especially given the growing season, but Latour was the star turn. What’s so impressive about the wine is that the château has allowed the vintage to speak, rather than imposing a style upon it. That’s why the wine is so light and poised, with a grace that is almost Pinot Noir-like. Silky, refreshing and aromatic, with subtle notes of red fruits and pomegranate and medium-weight tannins. Very graceful. Drink: 2018-35

Wine Spectator

93-96 / 100

par James Molesworth le 30/04/2013

Tight and sleek, with a coiled core of cherry, Campari and red licorice. Features hints of brisk iron and savory through the finish, displaying a clear, coordinated structure. Should settle in with time, but this is likely to be a very linear, slightly rigid Latour all along. Will lengthen and expand, but the lines will persist rather than be absorbed as in '09 or '10. Tasted non-blind. —J.M.

matthewjukes.com

19 / 20

par Matthew Jukes le 30/04/2013

A massive graphite explosion with grainy tannins, terrific power and surprising levity on the finish.

My Bettane + Desseauve

18-18,5 / 20

le 27/04/2013

Ne sera pas proposé en vente primeur mais on peut tout de suite rassurer les amateurs, le cru a la plénitude de ses qualités dans le millésime, avec une rare intensité de notes épicées dans sa saveur et un tannin imposant et racé, dans l’esprit d’un 2008 avec sans doute encore plus de potentiel.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

par Robert Parker le 26/04/2013

Reminiscent of the 2008, the 2012 is a classic Latour, but is neither profoundly concentrated nor potentially one of the greatest efforts from this exceptional terroir. While noble, racy, stylish and medium-bodied, the normal power and density one expects of Latour is missing in this vintage. It is made in a more elegant, softer, lighter style, undoubtedly a smart decision since pushing extraction with potentially less than ideal grapes could have resulted in rustic aromas and flavors. This medium-bodied Latour reveals moderate tannin, but it should be drinkable when released, and last for nearly two decades. Chateau Latour harvested its Merlot between September 24 and October 4, and most of the crop ended up in Les Forts de Latour and Pauillac. The Cabernet Sauvignon was picked between October 5 and 16, the Cabernet Franc on October 8 (obviously a wet harvest), and the Petit Verdot on October 12. The 2012 Latour, which is off the market as a wine future until the Pinault family and Frederic Engerer agree on when to release it (probably 7-8 years from now), is a blend of 90.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.6% Merlot and the rest a tiny dollop of Petit Verdot. Only 36% of the crop was utilized in the grand vin, which achieved 12.8% natural alcohol.

The Wine Cellar Insider

94-96 / 100

par Jeff Leve le 26/04/2013

Crafted from 90.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.6% Merlot, and 0.2% Petit Verdot, this wine reached 12.8% alcohol. The Grand Vin represents just 35.6% of the crop. The color of a gleaming dark ruby, the wine is elegant, soft, plush and polished in texture. There is a core of sweet, racy cherries and cassis with hints of vanilla and earth. The wine offers purity, symmetry, freshness and balance. This is a refined style of Latour. According to Frederic Engerer, the key to the success in this vintage was working on a parcel-by-parcel and row-by-row basis, monitoring the needs of the vineyard with specific attention to the amount of hydric stress each vine endured. 94-96 Pts

Jean-Marc QUARIN

17,25 / 20

par Jean-Marc Quarin le 25/04/2013

Couleur sombre, intense et belle. Nez fin, fruité, pur, mûr. Belle entrée en bouche soyeuse et puis moelleuse. Le vin se développe savoureux sur une bonne densité. Complexe et fondant, il évolue tannique mais savoureux vers une finale noble de bonne longueur. Degré d’alcool. 12°8. pH : 3.75.

Jancis Robinson

18 / 20

par Jancis Robinson le 24/04/2013

Drink 2025-2045Looks a little less blue than Les Forts. Scented and lovely on the nose. Playing the playful card. Dense and rich. Vibrant. Not made to show well at this stage – which may be a good thing. A little tiny bit of green but very fine and confident. Just rather hidden and restrained. Not the butch style of some years. A little short. (18+ points)

Decanter.com

18,75 / 20

par Steven Spurrier le 22/04/2013

Black-red in colour, pure fragrance and sophistication, depth and structure, very exciting quality in this vintage. 18.75/20pts ( 95+/100pts)Drink: 2019 - 2040

Jamessuckling.com

93-94 / 100

par James Suckling le 04/04/2013

Firm and muscular Latour with silky tannins that are surround by compacted fruit. Very integrated tannins. Bright finish. Long too. It’s racy. I prefer the more structured 2011.