Parker about Château Latour Grand Vin 2003
2003 was one of the hottest, earliest Bordeaux vintages ever. Some vines suffered from lack of moisture, but old vines and clay subsoil at Enclos saw this vineyard through. The Merlot harvest occurred between September 8 and 13, and the Cabernet Sauvignon was picked between September 22 and 30. The 2003 Latour is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. Six percent of the press wine was added to the final blend. It has a medium to deep garnet-purple color, then wow—it explodes from the glass with bombastic black and blue fruits, followed up by meat, wood smoke, sandalwood and Indian spice accents with underlying floral wafts. The palate is full, rich, velvety, seductive and very long on the finish. There were only 10,800 cases made (rather than the normal 15,000-20,000).
Description
Land | France |
Region | Bordeaux-Pauillac |
Rebsorten | Cabernet Sauvignon 81%, Merlot 18%, Petit Verdot 1% |
Alkoholgehalt | 13.00% |
Füllstand | Into Neck |
Verschlußart | cork stopper |
Kennzeichnung | Contains sulphites |
Farbe | Red |
Inverkehrbringer | Château Latour, Saint Lambert, 33250 Pauillac, France |
Charakter | Dry |
Servierempfehlung | Decant at 16-18°C |
Trinkempfehlung | 2015 - 2050 |
Parker Punkte | 100 |
Jahrgang | 2003 |
Bordeaux-Pauillac, France 🇫🇷
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Château Latour Grand Vin 2003

Château Latour Grand Vin 2003 is a remarkable wine from the Pauillac appellation in the Bordeaux region, known for its power, elegance, and exceptional longevity. The 2003 vintage was exceptionally hot, resulting in wines with ripe fruit and impressive concentration.
The wine displays a deep, almost impenetrable ruby red color, highlighting its density and intensity. The bouquet is rich and complex, with opulent aromas of ripe black fruits such as cassis, blackberries, and plums, accompanied by elegant notes of cedarwood, tobacco, and graphite. Nuances of spice, dark chocolate, and a hint of truffle add additional depth and refinement.
On the palate, Château Latour 2003 presents itself as powerful yet smooth, with impressive structure and perfectly integrated, ripe tannins. The fruit aromas are intense and harmonious, supported by nuances of mocha, vanilla, and an elegant mineral note. The well-balanced acidity gives the wine a lively freshness that underlines its complexity and contributes to its longevity.
The finish is long and persistent, with elegant fruit and spice notes that delight the palate long after the last sip. The harmonious balance between fruit, tannin, and acidity demonstrates this wine's great potential for further aging and development over many decades.
Château Latour Grand Vin 2003 is already a true delight and will only gain further finesse and complexity with age. A wine of exceptional quality and elegance that impressively reflects the tradition and excellence of the Pauillac appellation and delights wine lovers around the world.