I have had the Chambertin 1976 Heritiers Latour well stored since the mid 70's. It has been ready for about a decade, but still is holding well. The color is fairly deep scarlet for a Burgundy with a bit of age showing around the rim. It has fairly intense mixed fruit with cassis and black cherry coming to mind. There are hints of coffee and somethng meaty. The balance is very good. It is a bit more concentrated than the corresponding 1971 which I have tasted many times. It needs drinking, but likely will hold fairly well a few more years.
This wine often is a bit lighter and less complex than Armand Rousseau's Chambertin. However you have to examine the wines very carefully in Burgundy every year. For example, about 9 years ago, Clive Coates MW rated the 71 Latour Chambertin as 16/20 and the 76 as 17/20. However he rated the 71 Rousseau as 20/20 and the 78 as 14/20. Most rated the 78 red Burgundy superior to the 76, in general. In more recent years Rousseau's Chambertin often has been one of the best that can be found in many export markets. The 1988 and 1990 were both rated 20/20 by Coates, and many others have liked them also.
Clive Coates has moved to France. It requires much time to travel around Burgundy every year to keep up with the wines there. In my opinion, he is the best source for Burgundy information in the English language through his publication "The Vine" and his book "Cote D'Or". Hopefully Coates will update this book soon, now that he recently published a new book on Bordeaux, which I have on order.
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