A date with the classic Bordeaux

A SHORT (seven vintages) vertical tasting of Château Latour, Premier Cru Classe, Bordeaux, is serious stuff, especially when it includes the 1961 in magnum. This was the main item on the agenda of the monthly dinner meeting of our "Men Only" group last month. It is not every day one gets to taste (and drink) a vertical of one of the world's benchmark wines.

Château Latour Premier Cru Classe, Pauillac

Cepage 80 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, 19+ per cent Merlot, very tiny, less than one per cent Petit Verdot. These are the vineyard planting ratios, actual blend each vintage vary according to vintage conditions. Vintages tasted (and drunk): 1996, 1995, 1994, 1985, 1976, 1970 and 1961 (magnum).