"Full healthy red with an amber rim. Expressive scents of redcurrant, plum and milk chocolate show some nutty oak tones but also something distinctly fresh. Silky, rich and concentrated but juicy and delineated as well, boasting building intensity on the back half. Still full of life, with some remaining tannins that may yet be resolved. I have liked this vintage of Georges de Latour since the start. According to Trevor Durling, this 1980 was still raised entirely in American barrels but he noted that this vintage may have gotten a small percentage of new barrels and a slightly shorter รฉlevage than in earlier years." -Vinous
Robert Parker
RP94
"1980 was a longer, cooler growing season, producing wines of moderate alcohol and great freshness. Medium to deep brick colored, the 1980 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Georges de Latour opens with provocative cherry cordial, vanilla pod and cardamom scents over a core of mincemeat pie, dried lavender, black tea and camphor plus a touch of bacon fat. Medium-bodied with just 13% alcohol, the mouth is firmly textured with ripe, grainy tannins, lively acid and layers of pure dried berries and exotic spices, finishing on a mint tea note. With the fruit and tannins still hanging in there, there's no great rush to drink well-preserved bottles of this vintage." -Robert Parker
