CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 1990

Château Lafite Rothschild 1990

“Interestingly, a bottle of 1990 Lafite Rothschild I pulled from my cellar for a video blog on my web site was still buttoned down, tight, and even with extended decanting was not showing as much as I would have hoped. However, a bottle tasted, of all places, in Seoul, Korea in February, was only a few points short of perfection. That amazing performance motivated me to pull another bottle out of my cellar and follow it over the course of two days. Sure enough, by the second day the wine was roaring from the glass. The 1990 Lafite has turned out far better than my early assessment. While it still possesses some firmness, and performs like a late adolescent in terms of its evolution, it boasts gorgeous aromas of cedar, tobacco leaf, cassis, and lead pencil shavings. The explosive aromas are followed by a fleshy, full-bodied wine…” – 96/100, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

VARIETIES: 64 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 36 % Merlot
REGION: Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
AGEING: After malolactic fermentation wines are transferred into French oak barrels. Lafite has its own cooperage in Pauillac, la Tonnellerie des Domaines, which contributes to its unique style. Aged for a further 18 months in barrels, primarily of new oak
GUARDING POTENTIAL: Enjoy now or will cellar well up to 30 years
SERVE: Serve at 16° – 18°C
CRITICS SCORES: RP/96, WS/95

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1990 | Vintage | Château Lafite Rothschild

The vintage
After a particularly warm and not very rainy winter, bud break came in the second half of March. Growth was then slowed down by cold weather during April. A hot May without much rain resulted in an early flowering, which was very slow and spaced out due to the changing weather and the extended bud break. The grapes set well, and the growing season continued with a hot, dry summer.

Location
Pauillac is located on the left bank of the Gironde estuary, approximately 40km North of Bordeaux. With the tempering influence of the estuary and a great diversity of soils originated from both the Massif Central and the Pyrenees, Pauillac boasts exceptional climatic and geological conditions to make outstanding wines.

Terroir
Chateau Lafite Rothschild is located to the north of the appellation, bordering Saint Estèphe. Lafite’s best terroirs stretch on the 50ha Plateau des Carruades to the west of the Château. This plateau, which is the highest point of the Pauillac appellation, is well-drained and enjoys optimal sun exposure. Its clayey gravel soils offer excellent water regulating abilities, and provide optimal ripening conditions for the Cabernet Sauvignon. Some 4.5 ha planted in the neighbouring Saint Estephe appellation, count amongst the oldest vines of the property and provide year after year grapes of outstanding quality for the Grand Vin.

Winemaking
In order to reveal the magic of Lafite’s terroir, every step of the wine elaboration is carried out with the greatest precision. Depending of their provenance and level of ripeness, grapes will be transferred into either wooden, stainless steel or concrete vats. Alcoholic fermentation is conducted at controlled temperature, with regular pumping over to gently release all the phenolic compounds in the grapes. Each vat is carefully monitored and tasted daily in order to determine the best racking time. The maceration period variesfor each tank but is around 21 days in total. After malolactic fermentation wines are transferred into French oak barrels. Lafite has its own cooperage in Pauillac, la Tonnellerie des Domaines, which contributes to its unique style. The selection for the grand vin is made in March, once the wines have settled and start revealing their full potential. Every barrel is tasted individually and only the best ones are set aside for the final blend. Once blended, the wine is aged for a further 18 months in barrels, primarily of new oak.

Grapes: 64 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 36 % Merlot

Tasting
The nose presents the classic aromas of cedar, accompanied by notes of violet. The palate is full-bodied with good length, complexity and a surprising freshness. Round silky tannins ensure a pleasant finish.