Tasted at the Latour-à-Pomerol vertical in London. The 1985 Latour-à-Pomerol has a beautiful nose that is far more compelling than the 1986. There is plenty of sous-bois here that infuses the black fruit and over 20 or 30 minutes, one observes rosemary and lavender scents developing, ultimately mutating into a Graves-like bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with supple and lithe tannin, a common trait of this vintage. There is more red fruit here than the "black" 1986, quite linear and focused, hints of cured meat/salami towards the refined finish. This is probably at its peak now, but well-stored bottles have another dozen years of pleasure to give. Tasted December 2015.

Sexier in its life, but again far less impressive from bottle than cask, the 1985 Latour a Pomerol shows considerable amber at the edge. Some sweet mulberry, cranberry, and cherry fruit is intermixed with fruitcake, cedar, and black tea notes. The wine is medium-bodied and very elegant, with soft tannin in a modest finish. Drink it up. Anticipated maturity: Now-2007. Last tasted, 1/02.