CHÂTEAU LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 2019

Château Lafite Rothschild 2019

“One of the greatest wines produced in Bordeaux this year is the 2019 Lafite Rothschild, an impeccably balanced classic of immense charm and grace. Wafting from the glass with arresting aromas of cassis, blackberries and cherries mingled with violets, cigar box and warm spices, it’s medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless, its velvety attack segueing into a layered, concentrated mid-palate framed by exquisitely powdery tannins and ripe acids, and concluding with a long, perfumed finish. This rivals the 2010 and 2016 as the greatest Lafite of the decade, and of those three vintages, it’s clearly the most sensual and demonstrative out of the gates. The blend contains fully 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and attained a modest 13.4% alcohol. Best After 2029” – 100/100, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

VARIETIES: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot
REGION: France / Bordeaux / Médoc / Pauillac
AGEING: After malolactic fermentation, the wines are transferred to French oak barrels. Lafite has its own cooperage in Pauillac, the Tonnellerie des Domaines, a factor that contributes to its unique style. Every barrel is tasted and only the best are selected for the final blend. The wine is then aged in new oak barrels for 15 months
GUARDING POTENTIAL: Try from 2029 or will cellar well up to 30 years
SERVE: Serve at 16 – 18ºC
CRITICS SCORES: JS/100, RP/100, D/98, JD/98, WS/98

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1ᵉr Grand Cru Classé – 1855, Pauillac Appellation | Range | Château Lafite Rothschild 2019

The vintage began well with a mild, dry winter. The fine weather continued into the beginning of spring, resulting in an early bud break.

In April and May, colder and above all drier-than-usual weather slowed the vines’ growth, and they quickly lost their early start. The first flowers appeared on our vines in Pauillac on 28 May. This key stage of the cycle was somewhat capricious with rainy spells in the second half of the flowering period leading to some coulure (flower abortion) and millerandage (mixed size berries).

After a relatively cold, rainy start, June suddenly changed, bringing an early summer heat wave the likes of which had not been seen since 2003. Fortunately, it was short-lived and the vines, which were catching up, seemed better equipped than in previous years to cope with the heat.

Miraculously, some rain arrived on 26 July: 45 millimetres fell in Pauillac, perfect for triggering the véraison when the grapes change colour and start to ripen.

Temperatures in August remained very mild, with no temperature spikes and a few scattered showers, creating a threat of botrytis, but the drier weather at the end of the month, which continued into mid-September, allowed us to start the harvests without any worries.