This is what the Medoc is all about. The freshness and delicacy of this wine in combination with its serious concentration and firm core are totally stunning. Time has already worked its magic and this is already delicious, but has decades in front of it. Drink or hold. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019)

Review Date: 7th February 2019

(a blend of 82.5% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot, and 0.5% petit verdot; 13.8% alcohol; 75 IPT; a 43% selection of the total crop) Deep ruby-red. The deep, intense nose is a bit more forward than usual for Lafite, displaying classic, pure aromas of cassis, cedar and graphite. Enters the mouth beautifully pure and fresh, with laser-like precision to its deceptively light blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar and mineral flavors. The exceptionally refined tannins give this wine an utterly seamless quality on the pure, extremely long, mineral-driven finish. Though it will be drinking well sooner than usual, this truly remarkable wine will be enjoyed by your grandchildren as well. Is it lacking just a bit of flesh to reach a perfect score? This may yet turn out to be the wine of the vintage, and is an archetypical expression of the unique characteristics of great Bordeaux cabernet sauvignon.

Reviewer Name: Ian d'Agata

Review Date: 1st May 2010

It displays, as Lafite always does, more of a laid back elegance than Latour, and the difference between the two once again highlights the huge differences in terroir between north and south Pauillac, with the deep gravels here giving finesse, composure, almost nonchalance. It tames with a whisper, bringing you to submission by gently, purposefully and ever so slowly layering one thing on top of another. It has gorgeously pure and precise fruit on the nose, while the palate displays a multitude of flavours, from charcoal to cassis to crushed stone, and yet no one thing dominates. There are a ton of tannins, but they are individually fine, and it's only in retrospect that you realise how many of them there are. The tone of Lafite is speaking over the vintage, and it's going to run and run.

Drinking Window: 2024 - 2046

Reviewer Name: Jane Anson

Review Date: 7th February 2019

This is stunning for its ability to take massively endowed fig, currant paste and crushed plum fruit flavors and harness them with ultrasuave freshly roasted espresso, black tea and ganache notes. A seductive style, long and velvety, with the dense core of black fruit and smoldering iron just waiting and waiting. Best from 2020 through 2040.

Reviewer Name: James Molesworth

Review Date: 31st March 2012

Tasted blind. Crimson with a weak rim. Sweet and racy. Minerals and life. Dry, even slightly drying, tannins and not yet ready but all is tucked in there for a lovely stony future. Sinewy. So long and fresh.

Drinking Window: 2024 - 2050

Review Date: 14th February 2019

The deep garnet colored 2009 Lafite Rothschild bursts from the glass with red and black currant preserves, warm plums, mulberries and kirsch scents plus suggestions of sweaty leather, cigar box and menthol. Medium-bodied, elegant and firmly structured, it has wonderful freshness and a long earthy/meaty finish.

Drinking Window: 2019 - 2049

Reviewer Name: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Review Date: 14th March 2019

Deep ruby-red. Classic Lafite aromas of cassis, cedar and graphite are lifted by a fragrant violet note. Then pure and vibrant on the palate, with seamless flavors of blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar, iron and flint. The very smooth tannins provide plenty of support to the fruit flavors, while the wine's harmonious acidity really draws out the finish. This outstanding Lafite is all about grace--in contrast to Latour's power.

Reviewer Name: Stephen Tanzer

Review Date: 1st July 2012

The 2009 Lafite-Rothschild does not quite click into fifth gear on this occasion. It is certainly more classically styled than the bottle shown at Farr's tasting the following week, with cedar and leather aromas, more undergrowth scents than others. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth sleek texture, not grippy and clearly without Latour's backbone, yet very long with a surprisingly sweet finish. Very fine. Tasted at BI Wines & Spirits' Ten Year On tasting.

Drinking Window: 2020 - 2050

Reviewer Name: Neal Martin

Review Date: 1st March 2019