Château Latour Pauillac 1855 1er Cru 2012

This sets out its stall with confidence. Fennel and mandarin peel aromatics, followed by cassis, blackberry, liquorice bud, pencil lead and graphite that maintain grip and momentum through the palate. Tannins remain firm at 10 years old but there is a gourmet feel to the fruit and this is a vintage of Latour that will be ready to drink relatively young. Harvest September 24 to October 16, under rainy conditions that turned the concentration from impenetrable to a more approachable style – an impression I have got every time I have tasted this wine since its release.