Question: Which vintage Ch Latour

I think you need to have a tasteoff between the 1970 and 1982 LaTour. The 1978 was no slouch either. IIRC the 1981 vintage was very good and gets overlooked because of hype surrounding the 1982. I'd look in Broadbent or Parker and see. In the States the 81's were often put on discount and would cost from 1-3-1-2 of the 70 or 82. Let me know if you can't access either book. LaTour is one of those wineries who shine in so-so years, a favorite being the 1974 which I purchased for $15.00 in 1981 & took it to the Formerly French west Indies ( I know I've told my story about that bottle as a conversation opener before, I'm sure googling can get you the tale) Try www.wineshippers.com and see what the vintages 1970 thru 82 sell for.

I found shops were you can find little "gems", mispriced wine or a change in the shops ownership and the new owners know little about wine. I think in my case of the 1974, a wholesaler dropped the bottle off as a "sample" because the wholesaler wanted to move the product out. Lacking intellectual curiosity, the owner put the wine on his shelves and forgot about it. The $15 was pure profit and a violation of my state's laws. You can't sell samples.

Happy 25th. Remember the old Henny Youngman gag "I've been in love with the same women for 25 years...If my wife ever finds out............" Henny Youngman of blessed memory, was no Victor Borge, although he tried to play the violin in his act. the in