Lot 179
CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 2001 (1) WA 94
CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 2002 (1) WA 94
CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 2003 (1) WA 100
CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 2004 (1) WS 93 WA 95
CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 2005 (1) WS 98 WA 96
CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 2006 (1) WS 95 WA 95
Lot 179 Details
CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 2001 (1)
Pauillac. 1er Cru Classé
WA 94
CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 2002 (1)
Pauillac. 1er Cru Classé
A brilliant offering and a candidate for wine of the vintage, this is classic Lafite that reminded me somewhat of the 1976, although the vintage conditions were completely different. This is a medium-weight, quintessentially elegant style of Lafite with notes of lead pencil shavings/graphite along with black currants, plums, and crushed rocks/mineral. Wonderfully pure, dense, with a deep ruby/purple color and loads of fruit, definition, and a long finish, this is a brilliant, elegant Lafite Rothschild that builds incrementally in the mouth and has more power and density than it initially seems. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025. April 2005 WA 94
CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 2003 (1)
Pauillac. 1er Cru Classé
The 2003 Lafite Rothschild comes as close to perfection as any of the great Lafites made over the past three decades (1982, 1986, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010). This sensational effort came in at 12.7% natural alcohol, it is made in the style of one of this estate’s great classics, the 1959. Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color to the rim along with a luxurious bouquet of cedarwood, lead pencil shaving, white chocolate, cocoa and cassis. Fat, rich, opulent and full-bodied with low acidity and stunning seductiveness and complexity, this noble wine possesses a bountiful, generous, heady style. It is just coming into its plateau of maturity where it should hold for 20-25 years. This is one of the candidates for the wine of the vintage – make no mistake about that. August 2014 Drink: 2014-2039 WA 100
CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 2004 (1)
Pauillac. 1er Cru Classé
stained label.
This beautiful, stunningly dense purple-colored effort (includes about 90% Cabernet Sauvignon) offers up precise notes of graphite, black cherries, cassis, scorched earth, and minerals. Medium to full-bodied with fabulous fruit, impressive richness, refreshing acidity, and sweet tannin, this beauty should be approachable in 4-5 years, and last for three decades. WS 93 WA 95
CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 2005 (1)
Pauillac. 1er Cru Classé
The palate is medium-bodied and beautifully balanced, to wit, a sophisticated Pauillac that priorities elegance and poise over intensity of fruit—in keeping with Lafite Rothschild's style. You come away with the sense that it will take its time and decline, giving away a great deal in its primacy, even if it is still more approachable than the 2005 Latour for example. Therefore, I would be inclined to set this aside for several more years. Tasted November 2014. WS 98 WA 96
CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 2006 (1)
Pauillac. 1er Cru Classé
Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London and then blind at Farr Vintners tasting. The 2006 Château Lafite-Rothschild offers impressive fruit intensity on the nose, although it does not have the precision of the 2006 Mouton-Rothschild. Red berry fruits intermingle with rose petals and sous-bois scents - very typical Lafite bouquet where less can be more. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and a keen line of acidity. It is certainly very well balanced with graphite-tinged black fruit, but whereas Mouton-Rothschild possesses that peacock's tail, Lafite remains linear. Nevertheless, the sophistication really comes through here. It is a Lafite-Rothschild that may spring a few surprises down the line, one of those wines that keeps drawing you back. Understated class. Tasted April 2016. Drink: 2018-2045 WS 95 WA 95