Latour 2002 (750ML)

96 RP / 96 WS / 94+ VM / 94 WCI / 17.5 JR

The wine of the vintage? There are only 10,000 cases of this extraordinarily rich, dense 2002 that is as powerful as the 2003 (even the alcohol levels are nearly the same, 12.85%) . It is dark ruby/purple to the rim, with notes of English walnuts, crushed rocks, black currants, and forest floor, dense, full-bodied, and opulent, yet classic with spectacular aromatics, marvelous purity, and a full-bodied finish that lasts just over 50+ seconds. Huge richness and the sweetness of the tannin are somewhat deceptive as this wine seems set for a long life. Administrator Frederic Engerer seems to be more pleased with what Latour achieved in 2002 than in any other recent vintage. Hats off to him for an extraordinary accomplishment in a vintage that wouldn’t have been expected to produce the raw materials to achieve something at this level of quality. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2045. - Robert Parker

Loads of ripe currants, licorice and toasted oak on the nose. Subtle yet impressive. Full-bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit and chewy tannins. Big and juicy. Deep midpalate for a 2002. This is the wine of the vintage. A solid, classic Latour that needs bottle age. Best after 2012.-Wine Spectator

Red-ruby. Blackcurrant, graphite and minerals on the nose. Sweet, fleshy and dense, with an impeccable sugar/acid balance. Strong mineral tones and firm acids. Finishes long and gripping, with excellent tannic spine and lift. A bit like the 2002 Les Forts de Latour but turned up a notch or two. But not quite as perfumed as the young 2004.-Stephen Tanzer, Vinous Media

With a nose filled with walnut, cassis, tobacco, blackberry and forest floor aromas. The wine is medium/full bodied with a refined character. The finish is all about the sweet, lush rich, balanced textures and classy, stylish cassis. 94 Points-Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider

Mid crimson with a pale rim. Savoury, burly, earthy nose. Mid weight and some density. Dry finish as though the oak were still in play. Zesty. Quite intense. After 24 hours it looked even paler and more skinny. Pretty rigid but not really very Latour.-Jancis Robinson