Lafite Rothschild
About Château Lafite Rothschild
Château Lafite-Rothschild is one of the most collectable wines in the world. Purchased in 1868 it has remained continuously in the Rothschild family. Less powerful than Latour and more classical than Mouton, the hallmarks of this wine of wines is a taut, lithe, willowy muscularity, enveloped by transcendent just-ripe black fruit with the perfect sweetness of blackcurrant, black cherry and plum. The scent of Lafite often beguiles its fortunate drinkers and the mythical, irresistible perfume of wonderful cedar, so fresh and elegant, must be experienced to be believed.
Part of Lafite’s centuries-long success lies in its situation on some of the most gravel-dominant terroir in the Médoc. Up to ten metres deep with the stuff in some places, there are a few pockets of aeolian black sand and bedrock of limestone to complete the soils. Naturally conducive to the production of the most unbelievable Cabernet Sauvignon, the Grand Vin of Château Lafite Rothschild is frequently composed of up to 90% of the varietal. Couple this with the outstandingly talented team, headed for 40 years by the imperious Charles Chevallier (until 2018), and we have an estate whose strength lies in its being “a spectrum of flavours rather than a strong expression of any particular one” in the words of Chevallier’s replacement, Eric Kohler.
The 1996 vintage onwards heralded some of the best wines in their history; 2003 and 2009 are notably outstanding. Elegant, fresh, with great fruit purity and remarkable ageing potential. The second wine, Carruades de Lafite, has also been intensely collected over the past decade.
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 90 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£3,502.87 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (90)The second wine, which has soared in quality over the last decade, is an outstanding effort displaying a character similar to that of Lafite, without the size, depth, and aging potential of that wine. The 2006 Carruades de Lafite offers up aromas of graphite, cedar, black currants, sweet cherries, and smoky herbs. This complex, more evolved, medium-bodied, silky-textured, sexy offering will provide plenty of pleasure over the next 15+ years. |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 90 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£1,069.22 |
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Wine Advocate (90)The second wine, the 2007 Carraudes de Lafite, is nearly equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with tiny dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. A sleeper of the vintage, it offers sexy, ripe berry fruit intermixed with hints of cedarwood, forest floor, and underbrush. This plump, corpulent, fruity effort reveals a velvety texture as well as a lush finish. Enjoy it over the next 8-10 years. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,183.22 |
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James Suckling (95)This smells like a bouquet of flowers with blueberries and currants and spices. Full body, yet agile and refined. So fine and pretty. It's balanced and in harmony. Savory. A smoky, decadent and meat undertone. |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£858.02 |
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James Suckling (96)This is a beautiful Carraudes with currant, sweet-tobacco and wet-earth aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with a dense center-palate and tight, polished tannins. Fresh, with tension. Reminds me of the 1995 Lafite. This is so Lafite in character. It shows so much cabernet sauvignon character. It’s 68% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot and the rest cabernet franc. Try after 2026. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 96-97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£753.62 |
|||||
James Suckling (96-97)This is very classically structured with a palate that starts off slowly. Full-bodied and chewy with a soft, creamy texture and a long finish. Savory. A touch austere. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot and 3% cabernet franc, the rest petit verdot. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 94-95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£717.62 |
|||||
James Suckling (94-95)Soft and attractive character to this wine, showing a polished-tannin frame and a juicy center-palate. Medium body with medium, velvety tannins. Juicy. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. |
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Carruades de Lafite
(3x75cl)
2023
|
|
Bordeaux | - | - |
Expected Price Range
£451 -
£535
|
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£3,410.40 |
|||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 92 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£2,117.54 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (92)Fruity, deep and firm, filled with plum and cherry, backed by youthful, stiff tannins. Needs time for complexity to develop. Try in 1995.--Lafite Rothschild vertical. - |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 98 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£48,471.67 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98)The 1982 Lafite Rothschild is at the peak of its powers today, and the two bottles I drank this year were both exceptional. Wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet red berries and blackcurrants mingled with notions of cedar chest, cigar box, camphor and dried flowers, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless, with an effortlessly elegant, harmonious profile and a long, fragrant finish. While this is far from being the most powerful Médoc of the vintage, it is among the most pleasurable. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£7,908.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (97)Defines elegance and sophistication with distinct tea, earthy chocolate, cherry and cassis flavors that gently unfold onthe palate. It's impeccibly well balanced with soft, smooth yet firm tannins that give it structure and depth. Should age 20 or 30 years, maybe longer. Tasted twice; first bottle was "corked". |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 91 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£2,172.02 |
|||||
James Suckling (91)Aromas of peat and fruits, with hints of cedar and berries. Full and velvety with good fruit and a medium finish. Goes mushroomy. A little light. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 93 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£9,282.07 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (93)A luscious Lafite that is silky and elegant with layers of wonderful violet, berry, cherry and chocolate flavors. It's full-bodied, with racy, refined tannins and good length. Drinkable now, but best from 1999 and through another decade. 18,750 cases made. - |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95-100 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£6,073.27 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (95-100)Crushed berries and intensity to this, with grapey, toasted oak and cedar notes. Big and concentrated, with chewy and firm tannins. Very long. Very tight, though, and just beginning to show its true nature. Score range: 95-100 |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£11,025.67 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (100)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. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 96.0 |
Inc. VAT
£8,415.67 |
|||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£2,982.02 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (100)Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Lafite Rothschild is a little mute on the nose at this stage, opening to reveal warm blackcurrants, baked plums and boysenberry scents with hints of chocolate mint, violets, cedar chest and pencil lead. Full-bodied, rich and densely packed with perfumed black fruit layers, it has a rock-solid backbone of fantastically ripe, grainy tannins and beautiful freshness, finishing very long and minerally. Still very youthful! |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£2,302.82 |
|||||
James Suckling (95)Superb structure for the vintage with blackcurrants, cedar, mushroom and sweet tobacco character. Full-bodied yet reserved and tight with an impressive density. Long finish. Better in 2020. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£9,219.67 |
|||||
James Suckling (95)Superb structure for the vintage with blackcurrants, cedar, mushroom and sweet tobacco character. Full-bodied yet reserved and tight with an impressive density. Long finish. Better in 2020. |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 100 (WI) |
Inc. VAT
£2,763.62 |
|||||
The Wine Independent (100)The 2018 Lafite Rothschild is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a little swirling to unlock notes of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and crème de cassis, with touches of menthol, Indian spices and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-filling, spicy black fruits with velvety tannins and a long, energetic finish. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,899.62 |
|||||
James Suckling (100)Amazing aromas here with tobacco, crushed stone, cigar box, currants, tar, and lead pencil, as well as spices, iron, and dried ginger. Medium- to full-bodied, with a density and tightness. Very compact and complex. Racy. Delicacy with strength. Orange peel undertones. A wine to contemplate. You must understand it to understand the great Lafites of the past and those of the future. Only 12.8% alcohol. 92% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Best after 2030, but drink it if you have the chance taste it. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97-98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,810.94 |
|||||
James Suckling (97-98)Polished and refined with a firm, fine and linear tannin structure. Harmonious. Perfumed violets, roses and subtle licorice. All in balance here, with precise layers of black fruit, minerals and pencil lead. Rather seamless. Firm, yet fine and sleek to the end. Very classy. Fine-velvet texture. 96% cabernet sauvignon, 3% merlot and 1% petit verdot. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 99-100 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£2,378.54 |
|||||
James Suckling (99-100)A classical Lafite that reminds me of something like the 1986, with its blackcurrant and tobacco character with cedar and hazelnut, but it's so today with its purity and precision. It's really about being Lafite here. Terroir gives great elegance with strength. |
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Lafite Rothschild
(3x75cl)
2023
|
|
Bordeaux | - | - |
Expected Price Range
£1,428 -
£1,695
|
||||
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 90 (WA) |
In Bond
£2,887.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (90)The second wine, which has soared in quality over the last decade, is an outstanding effort displaying a character similar to that of Lafite, without the size, depth, and aging potential of that wine. The 2006 Carruades de Lafite offers up aromas of graphite, cedar, black currants, sweet cherries, and smoky herbs. This complex, more evolved, medium-bodied, silky-textured, sexy offering will provide plenty of pleasure over the next 15+ years. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 2 | 90 (WA) |
In Bond
£883.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (90)The second wine, the 2007 Carraudes de Lafite, is nearly equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with tiny dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. A sleeper of the vintage, it offers sexy, ripe berry fruit intermixed with hints of cedarwood, forest floor, and underbrush. This plump, corpulent, fruity effort reveals a velvety texture as well as a lush finish. Enjoy it over the next 8-10 years. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
In Bond
£978.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (95)This smells like a bouquet of flowers with blueberries and currants and spices. Full body, yet agile and refined. So fine and pretty. It's balanced and in harmony. Savory. A smoky, decadent and meat undertone. |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
£707.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (96)This is a beautiful Carraudes with currant, sweet-tobacco and wet-earth aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with a dense center-palate and tight, polished tannins. Fresh, with tension. Reminds me of the 1995 Lafite. This is so Lafite in character. It shows so much cabernet sauvignon character. It’s 68% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot and the rest cabernet franc. Try after 2026. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 96-97 (JS) |
In Bond
£620.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (96-97)This is very classically structured with a palate that starts off slowly. Full-bodied and chewy with a soft, creamy texture and a long finish. Savory. A touch austere. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot and 3% cabernet franc, the rest petit verdot. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 94-95 (JS) |
In Bond
£590.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (94-95)Soft and attractive character to this wine, showing a polished-tannin frame and a juicy center-palate. Medium body with medium, velvety tannins. Juicy. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. |
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Carruades de Lafite
(3x75cl)
2023
|
|
Bordeaux | - | - |
Expected Price Range
£451 -
£535
|
||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£3,410.40 |
|||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 92 (WS) |
In Bond
£1,755.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (92)Fruity, deep and firm, filled with plum and cherry, backed by youthful, stiff tannins. Needs time for complexity to develop. Try in 1995.--Lafite Rothschild vertical. - |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 98 (WA) |
In Bond
£40,361.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98)The 1982 Lafite Rothschild is at the peak of its powers today, and the two bottles I drank this year were both exceptional. Wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet red berries and blackcurrants mingled with notions of cedar chest, cigar box, camphor and dried flowers, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless, with an effortlessly elegant, harmonious profile and a long, fragrant finish. While this is far from being the most powerful Médoc of the vintage, it is among the most pleasurable. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£7,908.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (97)Defines elegance and sophistication with distinct tea, earthy chocolate, cherry and cassis flavors that gently unfold onthe palate. It's impeccibly well balanced with soft, smooth yet firm tannins that give it structure and depth. Should age 20 or 30 years, maybe longer. Tasted twice; first bottle was "corked". |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 91 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,802.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (91)Aromas of peat and fruits, with hints of cedar and berries. Full and velvety with good fruit and a medium finish. Goes mushroomy. A little light. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 93 (WS) |
In Bond
£7,703.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (93)A luscious Lafite that is silky and elegant with layers of wonderful violet, berry, cherry and chocolate flavors. It's full-bodied, with racy, refined tannins and good length. Drinkable now, but best from 1999 and through another decade. 18,750 cases made. - |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95-100 (WS) |
In Bond
£5,029.00 |
|||||
Wine Spectator (95-100)Crushed berries and intensity to this, with grapey, toasted oak and cedar notes. Big and concentrated, with chewy and firm tannins. Very long. Very tight, though, and just beginning to show its true nature. Score range: 95-100 |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
£9,156.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (100)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. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 96.0 |
In Bond
£6,981.00 |
|||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
£2,477.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (100)Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Lafite Rothschild is a little mute on the nose at this stage, opening to reveal warm blackcurrants, baked plums and boysenberry scents with hints of chocolate mint, violets, cedar chest and pencil lead. Full-bodied, rich and densely packed with perfumed black fruit layers, it has a rock-solid backbone of fantastically ripe, grainy tannins and beautiful freshness, finishing very long and minerally. Still very youthful! |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,911.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (95)Superb structure for the vintage with blackcurrants, cedar, mushroom and sweet tobacco character. Full-bodied yet reserved and tight with an impressive density. Long finish. Better in 2020. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
In Bond
£7,651.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (95)Superb structure for the vintage with blackcurrants, cedar, mushroom and sweet tobacco character. Full-bodied yet reserved and tight with an impressive density. Long finish. Better in 2020. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 2 | 100 (WI) |
In Bond
£2,295.00 |
|||||
The Wine Independent (100)The 2018 Lafite Rothschild is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a little swirling to unlock notes of baked plums, boysenberry preserves, and crème de cassis, with touches of menthol, Indian spices and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-filling, spicy black fruits with velvety tannins and a long, energetic finish. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 100 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,575.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (100)Amazing aromas here with tobacco, crushed stone, cigar box, currants, tar, and lead pencil, as well as spices, iron, and dried ginger. Medium- to full-bodied, with a density and tightness. Very compact and complex. Racy. Delicacy with strength. Orange peel undertones. A wine to contemplate. You must understand it to understand the great Lafites of the past and those of the future. Only 12.8% alcohol. 92% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Best after 2030, but drink it if you have the chance taste it. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 97-98 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,499.50 |
|||||
James Suckling (97-98)Polished and refined with a firm, fine and linear tannin structure. Harmonious. Perfumed violets, roses and subtle licorice. All in balance here, with precise layers of black fruit, minerals and pencil lead. Rather seamless. Firm, yet fine and sleek to the end. Very classy. Fine-velvet texture. 96% cabernet sauvignon, 3% merlot and 1% petit verdot. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 99-100 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,972.50 |
|||||
James Suckling (99-100)A classical Lafite that reminds me of something like the 1986, with its blackcurrant and tobacco character with cedar and hazelnut, but it's so today with its purity and precision. It's really about being Lafite here. Terroir gives great elegance with strength. |
|||||||||
Lafite Rothschild
(3x75cl)
2023
|
|
Bordeaux | - | - |
Expected Price Range
£1,428 -
£1,695
|
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