Château Latour Pauillac 2005 is a monumental First Growth Bordeaux from one of the greatest vintages of the modern era. Scoring 99 points from James Suckling, 98+ from The Wine Advocate, and 98 from Decanter, this powerful and deeply structured vintage reveals captivating aromas of blackcurrant, raspberry, violet, rose, chocolate, incense, cigar and fertile earth. The palate is rich and concentrated, driven by muscular fruit, firm grainy tannins and remarkable depth, while a vibrant floral and graphite character adds freshness and precision. Still youthful after two decades, the 2005 Latour is a true collector’s wine with extraordinary longevity, expected to evolve beautifully through 2060 and beyond.

James Suckling | JS 99
Published: Mar 22, 2017

Very open and beautiful now with currants, light chocolate and spices. Incense as well. Full-bodied, tight and reserved with a fantastic center palate of fruit and firm tannins. Closed and hiding behind the structure and depth. Needs time to open still but already a joy to taste (drink!).

The Wine Advocate | RP 98+
Published: Mar 1, 2019

2005 was a very dry, warm and sunny vintage, causing vine stress in some areas of Bordeaux. Harvested from September 26 to October 6, the tannin/IPT levels were very high this year. The 2005 Latour is blended of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot. It is the biggest surprise of this tasting—until now, the wine was relatively closed and broody, but today the wine is just starting to reveal its personality—and what a stunner! Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it opens with provocative floral scents of roses and violets over a core of fresh blackcurrants, chocolate-covered cherries and black raspberries with hints of fertile loam, unsmoked cigars and black tea. Medium to full-bodied, firm, grainy and packed with muscular fruit, it has an epically long, savory finish sparked by floral notes. 12,000 cases were made.

Decanter | D 98
Published: Sep 26, 2025
Drink: 2028-2060

As you would expect from a wine of its stature in a monumental vintage, this is a stately wine of great power, exuberance and pedigree. Very much still in its early stages of evolution, even at twenty years of age. A long and all-encompassing palate culminates in a graphite grip that nicely balances the ripe fruit. A goliath of a wine.