Wine Advisor
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2023
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Description
Within the five rarefied first growths, Lafite is perhaps the wine with the best reputation for quality and longevity, commanding correspondingly high prices. It is considered by some to be the best wine to come out of Bordeaux. In 1815, Guillaume Lawton said of Château Lafite, “I consider it to be the the most elegant and delicate, with the finest substance of the three (Premier Crus). The location of its vines is one of the finest in the Médoc”. In 1855 the Château was ranked as a Premier Grand Cru in the famous classification that was prepared for the Universal Exhibition of that year. Lafite is also known as the ‘King’s wine’, after being introduced to the Court at Versailles by Maréchal Richelieu.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2023 Lafite-Rothschild, which was bottled in July, is a very succinct First Growth and politely declines to sprint out of the blocks. That is Lafite's style. But these aromas unfurl with each swirl of the glass: very pure black cherries and light blueberry fruit, violet petal, hints of humidor in the background. Superb delineation. The palate boasts exquisite balance, chiseled tannins, fresh and saline, very focused with a judicious touch of cracked black pepper toward the prolonged finish. Just an outstanding Lafite-Rothschild that will vie against the '22.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
The purity of cabernet sauvignon is so evident here. It mesmerizes you with aromas of black and red currants, cedar, tobacco and bark. It's full-bodied yet there's very impressive weightlessness and agility, as well as subtlety and focus. Some iron and terra-cotta. Cedar and sandalwood undertones. Juicy and plummy at the end. 12.9% alcohol. 3.75 pH. A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot.
Reviewed by: William Kelley
Bottled a touch earlier than usual due to the extensive construction work that is ongoing at the estate, the 2023 Lafite Rothschild offers up notes of cassis and plums mingled with pencil shavings, spices and a subtle touch of fresh leather. Medium- to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's rich and youthfully structured, with supple, powdery tannins, lively acids and a sapid finish.
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Package Size
1 x 3L1 x 6L1 x 75cl
