2019 Pauillac de Ch. Latour

Easily the best Pauillac de Latour in recent years, showing supple tannins at five years old, textured and rippling with juice, opening to show gourmet smoked plum and blueberry fruit. Has the graphite edge of the appellation, waves of cocoa bean, liqourice and smoked earth, and the balance of 2019. The structure is already welcoming, even if the fruit young, and if you like your wines on the primary side, you can get stuck in straight away and be very happy about it - this is a buy buy buy, and a good upgrade from my initial En Primeur score. 44hl/h yield, almost double that of 2018, which no doubt helps with the juicy character. 35% new oak, with a part aged in larger-sized 300l barrels.

The 2019 Le Pauillac de Chateau Latour is made from 55.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38.8% Merlot, and 5.4% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it leaps with notions of warm cassis, stewed black cherries, and mulberries, plus wafts of pencil shavings and charcoal. The full-bodied palate is very tight-knit and grainy, with a racy line of freshness and lifted finish.

The 2019 Pauillac de Latour has a welcome strictness and focus on the nose, a straight-down-the-line Pauillac with graphite and pencil shavings infusing the black fruit. The oak is neatly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied, fresh and taut, with pliant tannins and fine acidity. A graphite infused finish doesn't press down too hard on the accelerator. Not over-ambitious - that's its strength. Difficult to believe this is in fact the third wine! Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting.