Wine Region: Bordeaux - France
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), Merlot (9%), Petit Verdot (1%)
The vintageThis was another year of early vegetation with higher than average temperatures and normal rainfall. The wet conditions at the end of May and beginning of June gave rise to mildew. However, this was carefully controlled by our viticultural technicians. Summer ended on a fine note with hot and dry weather in August and September. These conditions brought about very ripe grapes. The ripening of the grapes developed slowly yet surely, and the first berries were picked only on 21 September. The sunny weather accompanied the harvests which started on 21 September and ended on 10 October. The maturity of the grapes was consistent, with very good sugar levels. As for the tannins, they were present and mature, with good extraction potential.
TastingOne of the best of the best. The tastings carried out for its release ‘en primeur’, showed signs of a wine with magnificent and captivating aromas. Strength and great elegance are combined in the mouth, with a tannic structure and remarkable length.
Expert rating:
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 98 / 100
"Since I gave this wine a perfect score, I suppose some could see this as a downgrade. I found everything still there for a perfect rating, but I was just struck by how tight and backward the wine was. A blend of 93.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, the wine still has a dark ruby/purple color and an extraordinarily youthful nose of graphite, black currants, sweet, unsmoked cigar tobacco, and flowers. The wine is rich, medium to full-bodied, but has that ethereal elegance and purity that is always Lafite. I originally predicted that it would first reach maturity in 2011, but I would push that back by 5-7 years now, although it has 50-60 years of life in front of it. Owners of this beauty are probably best advised to forget it for 5 years. Tasted next to a 1996 several days after the 2000 tasting, the 1996, which is a perfect wine, was far closer to full maturity than the 2000."
Wine Spectator 100 / 100
Falstaff 98/100
Wine Enthusiast 99/100
About the winey:
The iconic Château Lafite Rothschild was classified as a first growth in 1855 and has been in the Rothschild family since 1868. Today, Lafite is headed up by Saskia de Rothschild, daughter of long-time steward Baron Eric de Rothschild.
Château Lafite Rothschild is an iconic first-growth property in the Pauillac appellation of Bordeaux, France. It achieved its top-tier rank in 1855 and has been in the Rothschild family since 1868. Today, Lafite is headed up by Saskia de Rothschild, daughter of long-time steward Baron Eric de Rothschild.
The property is located at the northern tip of Pauillac, separated by St Estèphe by marshland and the Jalle de Breuil stream. Two areas of the vineyard are particularly notable: the gravel plateau, which is the heart of thegrand vin; and the Plateau de Carruades, from which Lafite’s second wine takes its name. The vineyard is planted mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), along with Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (2%).
A new cellar was completed here in time for the 2011 harvest, with a combination of stainless steel and concrete tanks, of varying sizes. The barrels come from Lafite’s own cooperage, located not far from the property. In addition to its 110 hectares of vines, the estate has 300 hectares of woods and marshes. The team consider this to be an integral part of the ecosystem.
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