Latour à Pomerol 2013

This is a solid, impressive effort from an estate that continues to languish in the shadows of more famous Pomerols, such as Petrus, Vieux Chateau Certan, l'Evangile, La Conseillante, Le Gay, La Violette, La Fleur Petrus and Trotanoy. Nevertheless, the terroir is there and some ancient Latour a Pomerol vintages have been among the most monumental wines I have tasted. Harvested between September 26 and October 7, the 2013 exhibits a deep ruby/plum color, good acidity, sweet mocha, black cherry and plum-like fruit, medium body, excellent concentration and sweet tannin. This pretty, concentrated Pomerol should drink nicely for a decade.

The 2013 Latour a Pomerol, a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, had a rather sultry, conservative, tertiary bouquet that seems to lack some fruit intensity. In some ways I found a little more aromatic pleasure in the La Grave à Pomerol. The palate is much better: nicely structured with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity, crisp and crunchy blackberry and raspberry fruit with spice and bay leaf, segueing into a precise finish whose only intention is to give drinking pleasure. Give this a year for the aromatics to awaken and then drink over the next 10-15 years.

A firm and chewy red with dried strawberry, firm tannins and a bright finish. Very crisp. Outstanding fruit density.

The Latour-à-Pomerol has more tension and focus than the La Graves-à-Pomerol. It is not complex or intense, although there attractive tertiary scents surface with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with a saline tang on the entry. It is a linear Latour-à-Pomerol, perhaps rigid at the moment although there is plenty of length. Yet there is not peacock's tail like other vintages of this cru, which prefers to play it safe