2016 Chateau Latour, Pauillac, France, 750mL, [100 points]

With a deep, dark hue and a soaring perfume of tobacco, cigar box, wet earth, cassis, and blackberries, this vintage immediately captivates. On the palate, it delivers a profound combination of volume, intensity, purity, complexity, and freshness, with silky, saline tannins and a mineral-driven, oceanic sensation that lingers for over a minute. Elegant, powerful, and impeccably refined, the wine is built for longevity, capable of aging effortlessly for six decades or more. Produced from 92.9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7.1% Merlot, it reflects the estate’s precision and commitment to quality, with only 36% of the harvest selected for the Grand Vin.