Château Latour 1945 Pauillac, 1er Cru ClasséExcellent levels, color and clarity, small remnants of original tissue adhered to sides of bottles, 1 very slightly scuffed label, original tissues removed, 2008 Chateau release, purchased from 'Finest and Rarest Wines Including Historic Vintages From The Cellars of Chateau Latour' at Christie's Hong Kong on 29 November 2008A tiny yield of 12 hl/hectare makes this rare indeed. I have been lucky enough to follow it at intervals throughout its (and my own!) life and it has now attained a transcendent beauty, honed from the powerhouse that it once was when young. In 2013, a very good, sustained colour. I wondered if it was the 1961 at the first sniff. That incredible, nostalgic, perfumed Pauillac cum cassis nose, miles away from a wine matured in new oak. Cedarwood and Cabernet. Amazingly, no volatility (family, cold cellars since its youth). So soft and oozing finesse, sheer class and delicacy. After two hours of decanting, fills out with every minute. A taste of utter refinement and lingering sweetness. Persistence from the bouquet to the finish of chocolate, smoke and meat. The 1928 followed the same trajectory, a huge wine that became seductive and alluring. One of my great drinking experiences. Serena Sutcliffe, MW WA 902 bts (owc)Estimates are per lot