Lot 20
CHÂTEAU LATOUR 1990 (1) WS 100 WA 95+
CHÂTEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD 1982 (1) WA 100
Lot 20 Details
CHÂTEAU LATOUR 1990 (1)
Pauillac. 1er Cru Classé
u. bn. stained label. scuffed capsule.
This is one of the more perplexing Latours to evaluate. It has plenty of sweetness as well as a gorgeous, rich fruitiness, but it lacks the firmness one finds in more recent great vintages such as 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2008. There is plenty of sweet, ripe currant fruitiness, abundant glycerin, and full body, but I’m still waiting for that extra nuance of complexity to emerge. It’s all there, but the wine still seems to be more monolithic than one would expect in a wine approaching 19 years of age. It is not the sure-fire winner I thought it was in its youth, but then again, I don’t have any reason to doubt that more complexity will emerge. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035. Tasted: June 2009 WS 100 WA 95+
CHÂTEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD 1982 (1)
Pauillac. 1er Cru Classé
u. vts. soiled & scuffed label. scraped capsule.
This wine remains one of the legends of Bordeaux. It has thrown off the backward, youthful style that existed during its first 25 years of life, and over the last 4-5 years has developed such secondary nuances as cedar and spice box. The creme de cassis, underlying floral note, full-bodied power, extraordinary purity, multilayered texture, and finish of over a minute are a showcase for what this Chateau accomplished in 1982. The wine is still amazingly youthful, vibrant, and pure. It appears capable of remaining fruity and vibrant in 2082! Thank God it is beginning to budge, as I would like to drink most of my supply before I kick the bucket. This is a great, still youthful wine, and, on occasion, one does understand the hierarchy of Bordeaux chateaux when you see the complexity and brilliance of this first-growth. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2050+ Drink: 2015-2050 WA 100