LAFITE ROTHSCHILD

“It opposes absolutely no resistance to being drunk, that’s the secret of Lafite” – Baron Eric de Rothschild

We are proud to showcase one of our latest fine wine arrivals: 90s Château Lafite Rothschild: 1995, 1997, 1998 & 1999

LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 1990

Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate rated 97 points
The yield was abundant and of outstanding quality. Excellent climatic conditions for the harvests. Very deep colour. A complex bouquet with currant, blackberry, smoke, leather, and spice aromas. You can fathom just a hint of oak. The bite is sincere and elegant, with many tight and mature tannins. It has a silky texture, and a very long finish. This wine may be preserved for a very long time. Anticipated maturity: now – 2030+

LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 1995

Wine Spectator rated 96 points
A very sunny year with a dry summer. Early in September, we had light rains which were good for the grapes. The harvests began at the normal dates with a mature yield. This is an excellent vintage, with particularly fine tannins. It is very elegant with a long palate, and can be aged for a very long time. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2028

LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 1997

Neal Martin’s Wine Journal rated 93-95 points
On 8 September, Lafite took out the shears to clip the first Merlots: this early season came after ideal weather in the winter and in the spring. On the other hand, the summer turned out rather rainy. Fortunately, like the year before, the harvest was welcomed with sunny skies.

This is one of the longest harvests that Lafite has ever conducted. Sorting was performed attentively in order to verify the health of the grapes. The wine has a spicy bouquet, a silky and sweet palate, with a fruity and full finish. The maturity of this delicious vintage will certainly come sooner than its two older siblings, 1995 and 1996.

It is a beautiful, compelling Lafite-Rothschild that can be drunk young, yet promises to evolve for 15+ years. Although one of the most forward Lafites ever tasted, it is all the more captivating because of this characteristic. Don’t miss it!

LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 1998

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate rated 98 points
We were concerned that the rainy harvest might dash our high hopes founded with the early blossoming, dry spring and scorching August. That turned out not to be the case. There was no rainfall until the harvest had already begun. The grapes were thus moistened but not penetrated, so maybe we can consider that divine intervention.

Once the first tanks had been worked, analyzed, and tasted, weary expressions changed to satisfied smiles. This vintage reflects the strength of our soil, with its deep colour and woody, fruity, and spicy palate. The “98’ may be preserved for a very long time, and is rich and full with a silky and long finish. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2035

LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 1999 (Standard and Magnum Format Available)

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate rated 95 points

• The 1999 Lafite Rothschild sports an engraved “1999″ on the bottle along with an eclipse to mark that significant historical event of August, 1999.
• This extraordinary Lafite increasingly appears to be a modern day clone of the majestic 1953.
• A mere one-third of the crop made it into the grand vin! 

Winter was peaceful, as during nearly the entire decade, followed by a mild spring and early flowering. From July until mid-August, humid days with partly sunny skies made us concerned about rot and botrytis, which can come on quickly and ravage vineyards.

Fortunately, the weather was scorching hot from 15 August until the end of the harvest. These harvests were conducted with record speed in rainy weather.

The bet was a risk: harvest just after maturity. This vintage comprises four of the vineyard’s grapes, which is rare, but identical to the 1996 (Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are rarely used jointly in the fine wine). This vintage has a woody and spicy bouquet, with a structured palate. It is balanced and elegant, with a long finish on echoes of berries and currants. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2030

Kindly contact us for further details.

More About Château Lafite Rothschild, 1st cru classé, Pauillac
The quality of Château Lafite Rothschild needs no introduction. As early as 1815, Abraham Lawton had already designated it as leader: “I ranked it as being the most elegant and delicate, with the finest body of the three (leading wines)” he qualified in 1855.

As to Château Lafite’s attributes found in all vintages, it was an enlightened amateur that summed it up best by saying “…whatever the case, all the Château Lafite wines have an almond and violet aroma!”

Grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon 80 to 95%, Merlot 5 to 20%, Cabernet franc and Petit Verdot 0 to 5%. Note that there are a few differing cases such as vintage 1994: 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot, vintage 1961: 100% of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Length of ageing in oak barrels: 18 to 20 months in 100% new barrels.

Average annual production: 15,000 to 20,000 cases.