The nose showed warm and sunny, baked black and red fruit on the nose and a supple but dense texture. The impressive level of tannin noted in earlier tastings is softening now, and the wine is ready to drink but will hold. A lovely wine, outperforming the 1996 at this point. Picking was finished in September, taking place from the 13th to the 27th. The final blend is nearly three-quarters Cabernet Sauvignon, with just a drop of Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot and Merlot for the balance.

A beauty, the opaque dense purple-colored 1995 exhibits jammy cassis, vanillin, and minerals in its fragrant but still youthful aromatics. Medium to full-bodied, with exceptional purity, superb concentration, and a long, intense, ripe, 40-second finish, this is a magnificent example of Latour. As the wine sat in the glass, scents of roasted espresso and toasty new oak emerged. This classic will require considerable cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050.

Black licorice, cedar, cigar box and fresh herbs. Full-bodied and very structured, with firm, silky tannins and a long finish. Needs time.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2009.