Still lively and full, this rich, fully mature wine has at least 15-20 more years of longevity. The dark opaque garnet/purple color is followed by Latour's classic nose of minerals, walnuts, and cassis. Full-bodied, concentrated, and rich, the 1964 Latour is clearly the Pauillac of the vintage. In what was a dreadful year for many Medocs, this is unquestionably a great success.

The 1964 Latour can be a spectacular wine on its day (I still have vivid memories of an extraordinary bottle back in 2009 in London). Others have been excellent if not quite in that rarefied atmosphere -- such as this, served blind against the superior 1966 Latour. Yet it still has a gorgeous bouquet, elegant and refined with black fruit, cigar box, sandalwood and autumn leaves, pine cones emerging with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with perfect acidity, a heartwarming grainy texture and more sappiness than the 1966. It is a Latour that perhaps after 52 years is beginning to fade, but it would not surprise me if the occasional bottle transcended all expectations. I have left a "plus" sign against my score, acknowledging that there are bottles out there that can easily reach the 96-98 point range. Tasted September 2016.