Louis Latour : Chambertin Grand cru "Cuvée Héritiers Latour" 2016

The 2016 Chambertin Grand Cru Cuvée Heritiers Latour is the most reserved of the Louis Latour reds I tasted from bottle, unfurling reluctantly in the glass to reveal notes of spicy berry fruit, peony, orange zest and savory nuances of forest floor. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a sappy core of fruit, fine but youthfully chewy tannins and a long, sapid finish. An open bottle continued to improve for over a week, making my initial rating seem conservative, so I’m convinced that patience will be rewarded.

Bursting with ripe, succulent cherry, licorice, smoke and spice flavors, this is marked by oak now yet has the requisite fruit underneath. Comes together on the finish, where the black cherry fruit, oak spice element and mineral notes mingle. Best from 2023 through 2043. 125 cases made, 40 cases imported.

The Chambertin lives up to its appellation's reputation in 2016, bursting from the glass with a direct nose of creamy red and black fruit, meaty bass notes and orange rind. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, rich and powerful, with considerable structure and grip concealed in an ample core of fruit. Intense and penetrating on the finish.

Very fine, tight and racy tannic texture, brilliant length, generous floral fruit, pedigree and persistence.