in search of a red....

[haleys56]

i am in search of my boyfriend's favorite wine for valentine's day. all i know is that it is a red wine, and has the word "tour" in it - possibly de tour or la tour...does anyone have even the slightest idea of what he is talking about??

thanks so much!

[hotwine]

Welcome to the board, Haley. Chateau Latour is a wine of the Pomerol in Bordeaux, France. The 1998 is currently retailing for about $70 per bottle at Spec's in Houston. Haven't seen the price on the '99 yet.

[tear wah]

Chateau Latour is a Pauillac, my friend, not a Pomerol. It is among the finest Cabernet-based "First Growth" Bordeaux wines. The wines are very expensive, but offer a tremendous amount of quality, poer, complexity and style. . .all at a high price tag! The wines will run you from $95 - $100+, and some vintages to watch for are 1998, 1999, 2000. 1997 was a problematic vintage in terms of weather during the growing season, and therefore some unerripeness in the wines, but this may be a less expensive way to try a wine from one of the world's legendary producers.

The other option that your boyfriend may be thinking of is Beaulieu Vineyards Private Reserve "Georges de Latour" Cabernet Sauvignon. This is one of the California standard bearers and can be had for $75 - $100 per bottle. DO NOT LET ANYONE SELL YOU THE 1998 VINTAGE OF THIS WINE. I am not on the bandwagon owith those who claim that 199 was a poor quality vintage across the board, this wine is simply not up to par, and B.V. probably should not have released it under this label. Any of the 90's (except 1998) will be wonderful. Good Luck!

[hotwine]

TW is correct that Ch. Latour is in the Paulliac, and is indeed one of the five premier crus of Bordeaux, classed on a par with the wines of Lafite, Margaux, Haut-Brion and Mouton. However, there are also Ch. Latour a Pomerol, a Ch. La Tour Carnet, and a Ch. La Tour-de-Mons, all of lesser classifications, and therefore commanding lower prices in the marketplace.