18 Rene Gabriel
95,3 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 4,3% Merlot. 12.36 % Alkohol. Nur 24 % der Produktion ergaben Grand Vin. Sattes Purpur-Granat, dicht in der Mitte, lila Schimmer aussen. Wie beim Pauillac de Latour und Les Forts de Latour ist die Nase reserviert, floral, eher kühl und mit einer klaren Cabernet-Sauvignon-Expression, schwarze Kirschen, dunkle Edelhölzer, etwas Tabak, hat Mühe sich zu zeigen, weil es scheint, dass da im Moment nur wenig Aromendruck vorhanden ist. Im Gaumen eleganter Beginn, ziemlich deutlich hervortretende Muskeln in der Adstringenz, doch gerbiges Finale. Im Prinzip sucht man immer nach einem vergleichbaren Vorgänger und dies ist oft ein schwieriges Unterfangen. Aber hier scheint es eine 1:1 Kopie des 1988er Latour zu sein. Will heissen; langes Leben - aber viel Geduld verlangend. Dumm war nur, dass man uns gleichzeitig den Latour 2004 (19/20) zum Nachverkosten reichte. Und da lagen Zwei-Punkte-Welten dazwischen.
93 Robert Parker
Composed of 95.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4.4% Merlot and 0.4% Petit Verdot, the 2013 Latour offers an open-knit, fragrant nose of licorice, sandalwood, rose petals and cigar box over a core of Black Forest cake, stewed plums, mulberries and redcurrant jelly, plus a waft of cast-iron pan. The elegantly styled, medium-bodied palate (13% alcohol) fills the mouth with intense red and black berry preserves layers, framed by evolved, soft-textured tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing long and spicy. This vintage does not have the power and backbone of an outstanding vintage of Latour, but it is aging gracefully and, still possessing a lot of discernible fruit with plenty of tertiary pizazz, is absolutely delicious to drink right now. This sweet-spot stage is likely to continue for another 5-7 years, before the wine plateaus at a maturity peak and holds for a further 15+ years.
92 Vinous
The 2013 Latour is absolutely gorgeous. Of course, the 2013 is lighter in body than the norm here, but striking aromatics and silky tannins more than make up for that. A wine of total breed and class, the 2013 is a real pleasure to taste today. Naturally, the lighter structure of the year is impossible to escape. Even so, at eight years of age, the 2013 is just starting to show the first signs of aromatic nuance, and yet it remains a young wine. The spread of botrytis led to an early harvest, with the exception to some blocks on the western side of the enclos that were more resistant to conditions and were therefore picked later. This is a remarkable showing considering a little more than 2/3rds of the vineyards (for the Grand Vin) were farmed biodynamically back then. I can't wait to see how the 2013 ages. My opened bottle stayed fresh for a number of days. (AG)
92 Wine Spectator
This delivers a very tightly focused beam of red currant, pomegranate and bitter plum fruit flavors that streak along thanks to finely beaded acidity, showing a hint of graphite through the finish and a beguiling black tea accent. Reveals a lovely sense of precision, maintaining cut through the sneakily long finish. Best from 2017 through 2025. 5,625 cases made. — JM