You watched the video of The Ultimate Wine Game with Château Latour, and you have read about the prices for the wines sold at auction in Hong Kong last Friday. So here are my tasting notes for some of the all-star wines sold.
I tasted them during the dinner for the wine game at Latour last March. The wines are listed in the order that they were served. All were poured blind.
The dozen participants at the dinner, as you viewed in the video, were asked to guess the vintages. I was happy to say that I found the 1983 and 1985! Let’s not mention the 1863, for which I was off 100 years. It was that amazing; it was that fresh and youthful.
Tasting old wines, such as those below, is really a humbling experience, and an emotional one too. It’s so evocative. It’s like riding a time machine with every sip. And some wines seem almost ageless.
If money was no object, I can see why people would pay such exorbitant prices for some of these wines – especially the two perfect wines (the 1961 and 1945).
1893: It shows a very light amber color, like lightly brewed tea. Aromas of orange peel and tea that turn to delicate fruits, such as strawberries and mango. Light body, but intense and vibrant with a hint of citrus. 92 points.
1919: Strange nose of dried mushrooms with ripe fruit that turns to China tea, peas and brown sugar. Still very drinkable. 90 points.
1897: It’s a little drying on the palate, but has some beautiful dark fruit, currant and dried mushroom character. Full and chewy in a strange way. Rosehips and herbs too. 90 points.
1909: Slightly oxidized with a coffee and spice character, as well as fruit. Medium body. Tea, tobacco and some fruit. 90 points.
1983: Very dried fruit on the nose that borders on raisins. Cooked fruits and coffee come through as well on the palate. Full and velvety texture with herbs on the finish. 90 points.
1985: Aromas of mint and currants with some spices. Full and velvety texture with fresh and clean fruit and a yummy finish. Drink it. 93 points.
1863: Wow, is this ever impressive. Plenty of currants and dark fruits with a stony and minty undertone. Amazing quality for its age. Complex and contemplative to drink. 97 points.
1971: I had forgotten how fresh and beautiful this wine was. It shows lots of currant and blueberry character on the nose and palate. Full with velvety texture and a fruity finish. 93 points.
1947: This is rich and tangy with aromas of prunes and mushrooms that underline the hot growing season for the grapes. Full, tangy and silky. A tiny bit volatile. 92 points.
1970: Soft, round and wonderful with currants, licorice and delicate berries with a stony, wet earth undertone. Full and velvety texture. 94 points.
1961: As stunning and immortal as ever. Complex aromas of mint, plum, currants and dried dark fruits that turn to raisins and chocolate. Full and juicy with a finish that lasts for minutes. Perfect wine as always. 100 points.
1945: This is the best bottle of 1945 I have ever tasted in my life, with a phenomenal nose of mint, currants, blackberries and wet earth. It’s very velvety and then feels silky. It goes on for minutes. 100 points.
One thought on “My Article: A Time Machine Called Latour”