95 Robert Parker
Not an outstanding vintage overall for Bordeaux, 2006 had the potential to be very good. Things got off to a pretty impressive start in Pauillac this year, and then it all went a bit pear-shaped toward the end with a cool, rainy August and late September. Vineyard diligence and a take-no-prisoners attitude on the sorting table were the keys to relative success here. While it is clear Latour had their work cut out for them with this 2006 release, they managed to produce an incredibly impressive grand vin, which is drinking beautifully now yet should cellar gracefully over the next 20+ years. The 2006 Latour was just released this year and is composed of 91.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7.5% Merlot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc and 0.5% Petit Verdot. It has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and lovely open nose with florals and red fruit aromas. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant and minerally with a compelling iron ore character and great length. 10,000 cases were produced (representing 38% of production)
95 Wine Spectator
Offers a pure nose of currant and blackberry, with crushed fruit. Full-bodied, with a solid core of fruit and very polished, refined tannins. Long and classy. Best after 2016. JS
18 Rene Gabriel
86 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 13 % Merlot, 1 % Cabernet Franc. 45 hl./hl. Tiefes, sattes Granat, lila Reflexe. Hoch nobles, delikates Bouquet, feine Edelhölzer, Tabaknoten, Heidelbeeren, Cassis, Holunderblüten, wunderschöne Facetten zeigend und absolut rein im Ansatz. Saftiger, feiner Gaumen, die Tannine sind seidig und strahlen eine wiederum fast parfümierte Cabernetsüsse aus, zartes Vanille, endet sehr harmonisch. Ein Latour der viele Streicheleinheiten in sich birgt und doch sehr langes Potential aufweist. Die Richtung ist klar im Stil des «neuen Latours». Die Weine werden früher zu geniessen sein, sind auf einem Maximum an Finesse aufgebaut mit einer önologischen Perfektion. Wenn deutlich mehr Frucht vorhanden ist, dann bleiben wohl in deren Reife die alt gedienten Trüffelsucher auf der Strecke?