Tasted from my cellar, the 1986 has consistently been outstanding, falling short of being sublime. The spicy, peppery bouquet reveals aromas of dried herbs and red currant fruit. Medium-bodied, austere, but youthful, vigorous, and concentrated, this wine still requires 4-5 years of cellaring. It is surpassed in this vintage (which favored the northern Medoc and Cabernet Sauvignon) by its rivals, Lafite-Rothschild and Mouton-Rothschild. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020.

Outstanding, but slightly unimpressive. Dark red color. Complex aromas of blackberries, dark chocolate, tar and minerals. Medium- to full-bodied and balanced, with fine tannins and a silky texture.--Bordeaux retrospective. JS

This looked relatively mature. Rich and sweet. There was an element of rusty nails about this and I decided it was either St-Julien or Pauillac. Quite dense. Sweet and vibrant. Long. Beefy. But there was notable acidity and dry tannins on the finish. I guessed it as a 1986 but didn't assume it was a first growth. This was not Latour's most glorious period.
JR - June 2010