1986 Latour
By Chateau Latour
1986 Latour from Chateau Latour, Pauillac, Bordeaux
In the annals of Pauillac's prestigious lineage, the narrative of the 1986 Latour from Chateau Latour emerges as a chapter rich with oenological gravitas. This particular vintage encapsulates a kind of classicism that is both enduring and emblematic of the meticulous craftsmanship deeply rooted within this lauded estate.
The Quintessence of a Superlative Vintage
Marked by an exceptionally dry summer, 1986 stood out as a year that bestowed upon grapes an enviable concentration of flavour tinged with Pauillac's quintessential austerity. The results were wines that projected immense structure and ripe tannins—a foundation for longevity. Amidst a backdrop of such climatic benevolence, Chateau Latour birthed a vintage resonant with investors for its predisposition towards graceful ageing. It is an investment piece par excellence, heralding not only immediate gratification but an impressive potential for cellar enhancement.
Tasting Notes: A Testament to Time
With each uncorking, the 1986 Latour from Chateau Latour radiates an unbridled intensity. The nose evokes olfactory poetry—blackcurrant interlaced with truffles, cedar and tobacco envelops the senses. The palate continues with disciplined harmony; an intricate tableau of dark fruit melds seamlessly with earthy undertones and a finish awash in substantial yet silky tannins. The orchestrations of flavour are as precise as they are profound, charting a course through tertiary developments that have crescendoed beautifully over time.
The 1986 Latour stands today as one of the stellar performances from Bordeaux's left bank, reinforcing its stature with each successive tasting as an exemplar from a vintage that played kindly to the hands of patient collectors and discerning connoisseurs alike.
A Legendary Investment
In closing, the 1986 Latour manifests not simply as a wine but as a piece of vinous history—a collectible asset embodying the artistry and foresight of Chateau Latour’s winemaking philosophy. Its steadfast evolution in the bottle makes it one of the most compelling candidates for any serious investor's portfolio, promising continuous unfolding layers of complexity with each passing year.
Market price (USD)
$5,690.00
12x75cl
Highest score
90
POP score
466
Scores and tasting notes
Tasted from my cellar, the 1986 has consistently been outstanding, falling short of being sublime. The spicy, peppery bouquet reveals aromas of dried herbs and red currant fruit. Medium-bodied, austere, but youthful, vigorous, and concentrated, this wine still requires 4-5 years of cellaring. It is surpassed in this vintage (which favored the northern Medoc and Cabernet Sauvignon) by its rivals, Lafite-Rothschild and Mouton-Rothschild. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020.
Robert Parker Jr - Wine Advocate #129 June 2000
Conspicuously mature, even for a 1989 Left Bank with a distinct tawny rim. A rather loose-knit, mature nose with dark chocolate. Capsicum, liquorices and burnt toast. Lacking some lift and vigor (although less prune-scented than previous bottles.) The palate is medium-bodied, very savory as if there is a high percentage of Cabernet Franc. Dried blood. Moderate length, this is just lacking breeding and length and on this showing I would certainly drink this over the next 5-8 years. Tasted December 2006.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal Jul 2007
Tasted at the Academie du Vin from double magnum, even despite the large format and perfect provenance, the 1986 Latour still falls somewhat short of what you would expect given that this was a great Left Bank vintage. Now at 30 years of age, the nose is rather lackluster with dusty, soft, red berry fruit, with mossy and damp autumn leaves. The palate is medium-bodied with ferrous red berry fruit, firm and obdurate tannin, masculine and foursquare but without the requisite fruit concentration, which renders this Latour a bit...dour. With its herbaceous finish, one can only take solace in the fact that this First Growth cleaned up its act, pulled up its socks and has produced far superior vintages since this. Tasted April 2016.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 July 2016