Château Latour-Martillac 1999

This elegant 1999 reveals a heavy dosage of wood, but it also possesses briery currant fruit, medium weight, and fine purity. Drink it over the next 7-10 years.

I like the tobacco, cedar, cigar and berry aromas. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins. Delicate, fruity finish. Best after 2004. 11,000 cases made.

Medium purple-ruby. Great, tightly knit bouquet: black cherries, tar notes, terroir spice and coffee. Mid-palate, a very well-balanced interplay of acidity and tannins, juicy extract, winning aromatics, excellent winemaking. A brilliant value.

00: Barrel sample (17/20): Still restrained but deep bouquet, terroir notes mixed with a blueberry touch, spicy, black pepper. On the palate, fine and elegant with lots of aroma and backbone, showing a certain fullness; very well vinified. 03: Medium ruby-purple. Great, tightly knit bouquet: black cherries, tar notes, terroir spice and coffee. Mid-palate with a very well-balanced tannin-acidity interplay, juicy extract and a terrific, winning aromatic profile; superb vinification, outstanding value. 17/20 drink – 2010

Deep red color. Medium to good intensity. Slight evolution. Nose with medium to good intensity. Quite refined. Smoky. Fruity (blackberry). A hint of caramel. A wine with great tactile smoothness, offering a very refined, clean, straightforward palate. Fine tannins and, above all, despite a medium body, it melts on the palate and finishes with savory flavor. Lovely.