Latour Pauillac 2003

100 points Robert Parker: "Administrator Frederic Engerer says the 2003 is 'the sexiest Latour ever made.' He also described it as 'the 1990 without any brettanomyces.' I loved this wine from the barrel and was fortunate enough to be able to purchase a small quantity, enjoying every bottle I have had. A profound example of Chateau Latour, the full-bodied, opulent 2003 is already performing well at age eleven, which is somewhat atypical. The pH is a relatively high 3.8, which also indicates low acidity. The wine is very ripe, but not over-ripe, offers great freshness, and lots of creme de cassis and camphor as well as hints of blackberries and chocolate. Dense, thick and unctuously textured, this staggering Latour is undeniably the most sumptuous, opulent wine made here since the 1982 or 1961. Drink it over the next two decades. Drink: 2014-2034. (Aug 2014)"

100 points James Suckling: "A very flamboyant and exciting Latour. Sliced black truffles, sweet leather, spices, and dark fruits on the nose. Full and powerful, with roasted fruit and leather undertones. Big and velvety, with polished, almost dusty tannins, and a super long finish. This leans more towards sexy than intellectual. Very concentrated. (2/4/11)"

100 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Dark ruby garnet, deep color core, violet reflections, subtle edge brightening. Ripe dark berry fruit, blackberries, some cassis and nougat, underlaid with dark minerality and fine wood spice, a hint of candied orange zest. Immensely full-bodied, extract-sweet, integrated tannins, nuances of cassis, chocolate touch in the aftertaste, fresh and animating to drink, shows great length, a youthful classic, please lock away well. (Feb 2019)"

100 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2003 Latour is a blend of 81.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 0.5% Petit Verdot. It explodes from the glass with crème de cassis, stewed plums, licorice, and mocha scents, followed by nuances of charcoal, rose oil, and crushed rocks. The medium-bodied palate delivers surprising elegance and jaw-dropping poise with well-knit freshness and super-soft tannins, finishing with incredible length and grace. It’s a real paradox of a wine coming from this very hot vintage and a testament to the Enclos’ singular terroir. (3/14/24)"

100 points (20/20) La Revue du Vin de France (2007).

99+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "Very deep garnet in color, the 2003 Latour is vibrantly scented of red and black currants, blackberry preserves and Chinese dried plums with nuances of roses, cedar and yeast extract. The palate is beautifully balanced with the generous fruit harmoniously off-set by finely grained, firm tannins and refreshing acidity, finishing long and complex. (Nov 2012)"

99 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Aromatically as you might expect, the wine displays a very ripe, roasted ostentatious nose packed with flowers, cappuccino, dark red fruits, smoke, wet forest floor and spice box notes. There is a sweetness to the fruits emanating from the incredibly hot conditions of the vintage. On the palate, the wine is pure intensity, power and richness. Grabbing you, demanding to get noticed, as if you could avoid the massive wall of fruit that's in your face. Atypical, which makes for a unique expression of Latour, it is fabulous to taste and experience. But its best days are clearly in its future. (Aug 2020)"

99 points Bettane & Desseauve's Guide to the Wines of France: "A wine of a transcendent harmony at birth, it has managed to preserve all its charms and the original character of its structure and flavor. The nose is admirably pure and natural with fully integrated oak, but what remains most striking is the tender, silky texture, which effortlessly carries the noblest flavors of cabernet sauvignon at peak ripeness. Everything is big and smooth in this wine, which has a dazzling finish. Drink: 2011 up to 2030. (2011)"

98 points Wine Spectator: "Intense aromas of blackberry, licorice, currant and mineral. Full-bodied, with very well-integrated tannins and a long, long finish. Very refined and beautiful. Goes on for minutes. This reminds me of the fabulous 1996. But even better. Best after 2012. (3/31/06)"

97 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Red-ruby. Explosive aromas of plum liqueur, currant, minerals and lead pencil. Huge, lush, sweet and utterly seamless; this has the palate-caressing texture of liquid velvet. About as deep as this extreme vintage gets. Finishes with noble, compellingly sweet tannins and great length. This is amazing wine, and only its exotic character prevented me from giving it an even higher score. Interestingly, the IPT here is 65, compared to 67 for the 2005. But this voluminous and powerful wine will be more fun to drink than the 2005 for many years simply due to its sensual appeal, even if the 2005 should ultimately surpass it in verve, minerality and overall aromatic complexity. (May 2006)"