Chateau Latour 1er Cru 1982

Parker: One of the three or four very greatest wines of the vintage, the 1982 Latour delivers aromas of dark berry fruit, rich cigar wrapper, loamy soil, walnuts and smoke. Full-bodied, broad and layered, it's deep, seamless and immensely concentrated, its fleshy core framed by sweet, powdery tannins, concluding with a long, expansive finish. A monument to the greatness of Bordeaux, it is one wine that's worthy of all the praise that has been lavished on it over the years. 100/100 (2022)

Jeff Leve: A spell-binding example of the most, consistently stunning wine from the legendary 82 vintage. Everything here is on target, in-place and balanced. There is a wall of ripe, regal, powerful, black and red fruits with a stately air of refinement and aristocracy that coat and fill your palate, leaving with a seamless, 60-second, plus finish. Drink from 2023-2060. 100/100 (2023)

Falstaff: Kräftiges Karmingranat, dezente Ockerreflexe, breite Randaufhellung. Zart animalisch unterlegte schwarze Beerenfrucht, Cassis, Lakritze, tabakige Nuancen. Am Gaumen saftig und elegant, reife, immer noch präsente Tannine, zeigt Rückgrat, schokoladige Textur, sehr gute Länge, hat einen Trinkhöhepunkt erreicht, feine Minze im Nachhall, harmonisch und süß im mineralisch geprägten Abgang, verfügt über weiteres Reifepotenzial. 100/100 (2019)

Jane Anson: Just a few months since I last tasted this wine, and once again it was the standout of the lineup (last time I wrote ‘pretty much the easiest 100 points I will ever give’). Latour in 1982 was owned by the Pearson Group, headed up by Lord Cowdray, with Henri Martin and Jean-Paul Gardère as co-directors in Bordeaux. It would have been made in a far more traditional way than today, although the 1855 1st Growth properties were regularly using new oak barrels for ageing by this point. What you are seeing instead is the impact of the exceptional location and soils that underpin Latour – giving power that continues to surprise more than 40 years after harvest. It silences the table every time, with its gourmet layers of rich plum, blackberry and raspberry fruits, coupled with liqourice, fennel, cigar box and mint that signify great mature Pauillac. The tannins are fully integrated at this point, and yet they still manage to convey the hidden power that the estate is known for. A masterclass in fine wine. 100% new oak. 100/100 (2023)

Decanter: A sublime wine, unbelievably youthful and vibrant still and one that holds attention from the first sip. Beautiful aromatic complexity on the nose; floral notes, patchouli, sandalwood, cotton candy, salted caramel and cherries. Feels like a thoroughbred that hasn't yet hit its stride. A beautifully lifted expression with mouthwatering acidity, tobacco and smoke, dark plum and berry fruit underpinned by beautiful yet tight tannins – articulated and nuanced, confident and powerful. This is structured and evocative with persistence and poise: should easily go strong for another 10-20 years. Winemaker at the time Jean-Noël Malbec. 100/100 (2023)

Jancis Robinson: So pure, stony (as opposed to fruity) and almost apparently lean on the nose but then the palate was so much juicier and fruitier than the nose. There was almost a floral note – not something I have encountered in any other Latour. This wine still seems to be evolving and should seriously outlast the other 1982 first growths. 20/20 (2026)

Suckling: This shows wonderful decadence with meaty, dark chocolate and ripe plums on the nose that follows through on the palate. It's full bodied, with super silky tannins that caress your palate. The fruit in the wine changes to a spicy, stony undertone. It seems to evolve all the time in the glass. This has a long life to it. But why wait? So delicious. 98/100 (2010)

Wine Spectator: Big and chewy. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, long currant, berry and cherry character. Underrated. Still more to come in this wine. Bordeaux retrospective. 98/100