Château Latour à Pomerol 2008

Tasted at JP Moueix, I hoped that the Latour-a-Pomerol would ‘blossom after bottling’, hence my optimistic plus-sign against my score. Juxtaposed against the La Grave-a-Pomerol, the Latour-a-Pomerol is tighter and focused on the nose, fine mineralite with aromas of red berries, pomegranate, baked clay and a hint of cumin. Complex, but it takes time to coalesce. The palate is well balanced, tannic and brawny at the moment though not brutish. Good depth, sufficient fruit to support those tannins with blackberry, fresh tobacco and sandalwood towards the finish that exhibits great length. Like Lafleur, this is a serious Pomerol that will demand patience. Drink 2016-2035. Tasted October 2010. Score – 94. (Neal Martin, robertparker.com, Jan. 29, 2011)