Tasted at the Latour-à-Pomerol vertical in London. The 1996 Latour-à-Pomerol has an intriguing bouquet. There is a touch of fish oil here and it detracts from the purity and terroir-expression of this wine. Later on there is a peat-like aroma infusing the black fruit that renders this quite an evocative nose. The palate is medium-bodied and a little austere, as many 1996 Right Banks can be. In some ways it reminds me of the 1996 Petrus, not that I am particularly fond of that wine. Quite saline in the mouth, the wine tapers towards the finish with moderate length. Decent, but not a great Latour-à-Pomerol, especially when compared to the superior 1995. Tasted December 2015.

This wine has turned out well after bottling, revealing a saturated dark ruby color, and excellent blackberry and cherry aromas intermixed with toast, roasted nuts, and vanilla. Medium-bodied, with admirable concentration, moderate levels of spicy oak and sweet tannin, this dense wine is already delicious. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2014.