Chateau Lafite Rothschild

For 6 generations the family of Rothschild is synonomous with quality and luxury when it comes to the world of wine. First noted as a wine producer in the 1200's it earned the 1855 classification of a Premier Grand Cru Classe even before the chateau was acquired in 1868 by Baron James Rothschild. Today the family owns 9 seperate domaines expanding to countries outside of France including Chile, New Zealand and China. The Carruades de Lafite is the 2nd label of it's famous first growth Chateau Lafite. While Lafite will use 100% new barrels, the Carruades use the same barrels, but a year later. The 2016 vintage is a blenf of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. The terroir of Pauillac shines through with an intense floral nose of lavender and other flowers, yet black currant, tobacco, pencil lead and cedar. Great ageing potential!

Crafted with elegance and power, Carruades De Lafite 2019-190 offers aromatic intensity featuring truffle, plum, and subtle oak nuances —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Reflecting centuries of winemaking mastery, Carruades De Lafite 2020 offers rich aromas of ripe berries, dark cherries, and delicate floral hints —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 1998-2050

A wine of legend from a vintage of dreams.

The 1982 Château Lafite Rothschild is not merely a First Growth; it’s a benchmark in Bordeaux history. From an exceptional vintage that redefined the modern era of fine wine, this Lafite stands as one of the most sought-after and celebrated releases ever made by the estate.

In the glass, it radiates with maturity and depth, cedar, graphite, blackcurrant, and dried violets unfolding in complex, layered harmony.

The palate is silky and refined, with astonishing persistence and balance that only decades in bottle can bestow. It's graceful yet commanding, like a symphony conducted by a master.

Critics and collectors alike hail this vintage as one of the greatest Lafites of all time.

Critic Notes:

100 Points | Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 29 June 2009
“This is a denser version of the 1990 that stylistically reminds me of what the young 1959 probably tasted like. Still backward with a deep ruby/plum color revealing only a touch of lightening at the edge, the wine offers up an extraordinary nose of caramelized herbs, smoke, cedar, pen ink, black currants, and earth. The gorgeous aromatics are followed by a full-bodied, plump, rich, fleshy wine with low acidity. With 6-8 hours decanting in a closed decanter, it will offer beautiful drinking, but it needs another 5-8 years to reach full maturity. It is capable of lasting 50-60 years. This classic Lafite is not as fat and concentrated as the 1982 Latour, nor as complex or concentrated as the 1982 Mouton Rothschild, but it is a winner all the same"

98 Points | Neal Martin (Vinous) - Wine Journal Jan 2013
“Tasted at Pebbles/Zachy’s 1982 dinner in Hong Kong. This is the second time I have tasted the Lafite ’82 this year and both bottles have been exemplary. Here it has a brilliantly defined nose of black fruit, graphite and limestone that has an electrifying intensity – a brightness undimmed over three decades. The palate displays outstanding balance, a little more feminine than Latour and quintessentially “Lafite” rather than “1982”. Fleshy and opulent towards the finish, yet not flamboyant or as extrovert as Mouton, this is just a fabulous Lafite that should plateau for many years. Tasted November 2012.”

As good, or better than any bottle of 86 Lafite I have ever tasted, time has been kind to this wine. The nose sports a complex array of spices, dried tobacco leaves cedar, leather, and bright red berries. The palate is energetic, firm, and most importantly, regal in character, with loads of ripe, bright, chewy, currants and cassis in the mid-palate and finish. This could be a 100-year wine. Drink from 2024-2080.

The wine is a dark, well-pigmented ruby-red in color. Cedar, coffee, tobacco & earthy notes overlay cassis fruit on the nose. The palate is very nicely together, with plentiful coffee notes overlaying black-cherry fruit Balanced acidity & slightly warming alcohol combine to give a firm, well-structured mid-palate. The finish lasts well.

Almost opaque ruby red in color. Restrained cassis fruit is dominated by cedary & earthy notes. Black fruit on the palate is quite closed with cedar & meaty notes dominating at present. There are plenty of very firm, fine tannins. The wine's acidity & balanced alcohol ensure it is finely poised, however the fruit has a restrained & elegant nature, leaving the structure to carry the enduring finish

Deep ruby-red color is not quite opaque. The aromas are tightly wound being dusty at first over cassis, them becoming more ceadry & perhaps chalky. The palate is tight & closed at present. There is a delicate leafy cassis fruit but the wine is dominated by plentiful, fine, smooth tannins. Acidity is good alcohol is balanced & the finish has superb length. The wine's fruit is largely closed up, but its excellent balance suggests this could open spectacularly with age.

The medium to deep ruby-red color is not quite opaque. The nose shows a little clean cassis perfume over precise toasty oak. On the palate lovely freshness allows vivid cassis hints to show ahead of a classic cedary mid-palate that is dominated by the wine's fine tannic structure. Alcohol is balanced & the finish endures well. The fruit on the finish is closed & unsupple.

The medium to deep ruby-red color is not quite opaque. The nose shows a little clean cassis perfume over precise toasty oak. On the palate lovely freshness allows vivid cassis hints to show ahead of a classic cedary mid-palate that is dominated by the wine's fine tannic structure. Alcohol is balanced & the finish endures well. The fruit on the finish is closed & unsupple.

Deep, dark, ruby-red, is not quite opaque. The nose is cedary with quite high-toned, ripe dark fruit, overlaid by lovely top notes of coconut & vanilla. The concentrated cassis fruit in the palate is very classy, it is lean, structured & cedary with hints of coconut & vanilla. Fine tannins give grip while retaining some suppleness. The wine has a wonderful elegance thanks to beautifully balanced acidity. Alcohol is also balanced, leaving the finish long & fine.

Deep, dark, ruby-red, is not quite opaque. The nose is cedary with quite high-toned, ripe dark fruit, overlaid by lovely top notes of coconut & vanilla. The concentrated cassis fruit in the palate is very classy, it is lean, structured & cedary with hints of coconut & vanilla. Fine tannins give grip while retaining some suppleness. The wine has a wonderful elegance thanks to beautifully balanced acidity. Alcohol is also balanced, leaving the finish long & fine.

Deep, dark ruby-red is not quite opaque. The nose is classic for Lafite, with meaty notes to the dark fruit complimenting cedary oak. The aromas are deep & brooding. Cassis & dark fruit on the palate is overlaid by coffee notes & plentiful cedar. There is excellent freshness. There is a good concentration of deep, dark fruit supported by fine tannins. Alcohol is balanced & the finish is long. This is a nice classic example of Lafite.

As so often with Lafite, it is power that marks this wine. That, and density of texture. The additional element in this vintage, and at this stage of the wine's development, is a dominant wood element. The vanilla and tannins from the wood match well with the concentrated tannins of the fruit, which is dark, dense and tight. This is a wine for long-term aging: in 15 years this will have superb richness.

Chateau Lafite Rothschild (Pauillac) – there’s no denying that no matter what vintage, the name of Rothschild will carry the weight and cachet for selling itself, not to mention scoring very high. Cassis, raspberry coulis, and blackberry dominate on a palate of crisp tannins, enormous structure and concentration. Always give this time to age to allow the wine to come into itself. Drink from 2027- 2045. 

"This wine is poised, gathering freshness and good acidity in the same structured container as the pure black-currant fruits. With 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine has a classicism about it: fruity and structured at the same time. Drink from 2024. Roger Voss" - 97/100, Wine Enthusiast

Balancing complexity and finesse, Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2018-660 offers a full-bodied profile with vibrant acidity and layers of dark fruit —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Balancing complexity and finesse, Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2019-529 offers silky tannins interwoven with flavors of blackberry, tobacco, and graphite —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Amazing aromas here with tobacco, crushed stone, cigar box, currants, tar, and lead pencil, as well as spices, iron, and dried ginger. Medium- to full-bodied, with a density and tightness. Very compact and complex. Racy. Delicacy with strength. Orange peel undertones. A wine to contemplate. You must understand it to understand the great Lafites of the past and those of the future. Only 12.8% alcohol. 92% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot and 1% petit verdot.

Crafted with elegance and power, Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2020-710 offers rich aromas of ripe berries, dark cherries, and delicate floral hints —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Polished and refined with a firm, fine and linear tannin structure. Harmonious. Perfumed violets, roses and subtle licorice. All in balance here, with precise layers of black fruit, minerals and pencil lead. Rather seamless. Firm, yet fine and sleek to the end. Very classy. Fine-velvet texture. 96% cabernet sauvignon, 3% merlot and 1% petit verdot.

(Arriving in Late Jan 2026)

Blend: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2032 - 2080

100 Points - Wine Advocate
“In bottle, the 2022 Lafite Rothschild has turned out even better than I anticipated. Wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet red berries, minty blackcurrants, violets and cigar box, it's medium to full-bodied, velvety and suave, with a deep, enveloping core of lively fruit, beautifully refined tannins, and a long, perfumed finish. Even at this early stage, it's remarkably integrated and harmonious, and it's certainly the most elegant of the first growths this year, reminding me of a modern-day version of Lafite's magical 1953. 2030 - 2065

As if visiting a First Growth Bordeaux château and tasting the wares, including pristinely cellared library vintages, wasn't awesome enough, the folks at Lafite-Rothschild take the experience one step further. For many years, they have treated esteemed guests and friends to rare and impeccable old Cognac and Armagnac casks individually selected by the Lafite winemaking team themselves. While the secret was well-kept for decades, word eventually got out and demand for these ultra-rare, premium spirits started to reach a fever pitch. Thankfully, the château took it upon themselves to release a few precious bottles each year into the market, and we were recently lucky enough to get our hands on a miniscule allocation. The Très Vieille Réserve Cognac is constructed from lots of at least 50 years in age and sourced from Grande Champagne and Borderies. Quite simply, the opportunity to own a bottle of this unicorn spirit is a gateway into one of the most exclusive clubs in the world.

A second, though equally precious release from the cellars of Lafite Rothschild is this venerable Bas Armagnac, produced from 70% Baco and 30% Ugni Blanc and composed of material aged between thirty and forty-two years. Like the Tres Vieille Reserve Cognac, the Vieille Reserve Armagnac has been part of a way of life at Rothschilds for decades where it's a family tradition to serve the finest spirits to friends and relations. More recently Lafite were cajoled into making these spirits available outside of close family circles.

Working with a small number of vignerons and distillers and with advice from Armagnac specialists, the Lafite team select well-aged "pieces" (casks in Armagnac) classified among the finest the appellation has to offer. The idea is simply to express "the best for Lafite". Style, continuity and a desire to do things slightly differently result in a blend from multiple harvests. The current composition was sourced from the Darroze family's stocks. They remain the watchful and patient custodians of 250 Armagnacs, including more than 50 vintages spanning a century, most sourced from the western portion of the Bas-Armagnac region. The family is highly respected on their home ground and abroad (uber wine critic, Robert Parker named Francois Darroze,“the Pope of Armagnac”). Together with son Marc, they continue to roam the best estates and terroirs in search of the most distinctive brandies. Arriving with Lafite's seal of approval in a handsome oak box and wax-sealed antique bottle, this is guaranteed to be one the most impressive examples money can buy. Very limited stocks. 43% Alc./Vol.

Blend: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot

91 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 1981 Lafite Rothschild is a classic wine showing some development but retaining its elegance and finesse. The bouquet reveals aromas of cedar, tobacco, and dried herbs, with hints of red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, well-integrated acidity, and a touch of earthiness. Although beginning to mature, the wine still maintains a refined structure. The finish is medium-long and graceful, though it lacks some intensity compared to better vintages.”

Blend: Cabernet sauvignon 69%, cabernet franc 16% and merlot 15%
Drinking Window: 2000-2050

100 Points - Robert Parker
"The 1986 possesses outstanding richness, a deep color, medium body, a graceful, harmonious texture, and superb length. The penetrating fragrance of cedar, chestnuts, minerals, and rich fruit is a hallmark of this wine. Powerful, dense, rich, and tannic, as well as medium to full-bodied, with awesome extraction of fruit, this Lafite has immense potential. Patience is required. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2030. Last tasted 11/94"

Blend: 80–95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5–20% Merlot, and minor contributions from Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot

92 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 1987 Lafite Rothschild is a more restrained vintage with aromas of red fruit, cedar, and leather. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins and a slightly rustic character. While approachable now, it lacks some of the power and complexity found in other vintages. The finish is moderate in length.”

Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Drinking Window: 2010-2030

90 Points - Robert Parker
"As I wrote last year, Lafite's 1994 is the first 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine made at this estate. The only other wine that had such a high Cabernet content was the 1961. The 1994 is not an easy wine to figure out. I felt more positively about it this year than last, but it is an atypically powerful, ferociously tannic, frightfully backward Lafite that appears to require 15-20 years of cellaring before its huge tannin level will begin to melt away. The extraordinarily dense color saturation and intense ripeness undoubtedly suggest that something profound may well emerge from this wine in two decades. On the other hand, 20 years of aging could result in a marvelously well-constructed wine that remains hard, tough, and charmless. It's a gamble, but for readers who love Lafite and have the necessary income, it may be worth it. Although it appears even more backward than the 1986 Lafite, it possesses enough positive components to elicit considerable interest. For your children's children's children? All of the wines in this segment were tasted between March 19 and March 28 in Bordeaux. Most of the important wines from both the 1994 and 1995 vintages were tasted three separate times during my ten-day stay in Bordeaux."

Blend: Cabernet sauvignon 74%, merlot 18% and cabernet franc 8%
Drinking Window: 2008-2040

95 Points - Robert Parker
"The 1995 Lafite-Rothschild (only one-third of the harvest made it into the final blend) is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc. The wine was showing spectacularly well when I tasted it in November, 1997. It exhibits a dark ruby purple color, and a sweet, powdered mineral, smoky, weedy cassis-scented nose. Beautiful sweetness of fruit is present in this medium-bodied, tightly-knit, but gloriously pure, well-delineated Lafite. The 1995 is not as powerful or as massive as the 1996, but it is beautifully made with outstanding credentials, in addition to remarkable promise. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2028."

Blend: 93.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot
Drinking Window: 2010-2050

100 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 2000 Château Lafite Rothschild is an extraordinary wine showing incredible concentration, depth, and balance. It opens with a complex nose of cassis, graphite, cedar, and subtle floral notes. The palate is full-bodied with layers of ripe black fruit, mineral complexity, and velvety tannins. The wine’s power is perfectly balanced by bright acidity and freshness, leading to a long, persistent, and elegant finish. This is a benchmark Lafite that will age beautifully for decades.”

Blend: 86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13.5% Merlot
Drinking Window: 2010-2033

96 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 2001 Lafite Rothschild is a structured, refined wine with aromas of black cherry, cedar, tobacco, and spice. It is medium to full-bodied with firm tannins and vibrant acidity. The palate is layered with black fruit and mineral notes, showing excellent balance and finesse. The finish is long and graceful, reflecting the wine’s aging potential.”

Blend: Cabernet sauvignon 86%, merlot 9%, cabernet franc 3% and petit verdot 2%
Drinking Window: 2012-2055

100 Points - Robert Parker
"The 2003 Lafite Rothschild comes as close to perfection as any of the great Lafites made over the past three decades (1982, 1986, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010). This sensational effort came in at 12.7% natural alcohol, it is made in the style of one of this estate's great classics, the 1959. Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color to the rim along with a luxurious bouquet of cedarwood, lead pencil shaving, white chocolate, cocoa and cassis. Fat, rich, opulent and full-bodied with low acidity and stunning seductiveness and complexity, this noble wine possesses a bountiful, generous, heady style. It is just coming into its plateau of maturity where it should hold for 20-25 years. This is one of the candidates for the wine of the vintage - make no mistake about that."

Blend: Cabernet sauvignon 89%, merlot 10% and petit verdot 1%
Drinking Window for Magnum Size: 2015-2070

100 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 2005 Château Lafite Rothschild is a magnificent wine with incredible depth, precision, and power. The nose reveals blackcurrant, graphite, cedar, and mineral notes. The palate is full-bodied and concentrated with velvety tannins, vibrant acidity, and layers of dark fruit. The finish is long, persistent, and elegant. This wine is a textbook example of Lafite and is destined to age for decades.”

Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot
Drinking Window: 2020-2050

94 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 2011 Lafite Rothschild is an elegant, medium-bodied wine with aromas of red cherry, tobacco, and spices. The palate is refined with fine tannins and fresh acidity. It shows good balance but lacks some concentration compared to more generous vintages. The finish is medium in length and graceful.”

Blend: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Merlot and 0.5% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2018-2047

96 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
"The 2012 Lafite Rothschild is a well-structured, precise wine with aromas of blackcurrants, cedar, graphite, and spices. The palate is medium to full-bodied with firm tannins and bright acidity. The flavours are layered with dark fruit and mineral notes, leading to a long, elegant finish. This vintage is classic Lafite in style and offers excellent aging potential.”

Blend: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2033–2066

A cerebral, elegant Lafite in a throwback style, this 2024 vintage showcases red fruit, graphite, and cedar with a Burgundian finesse. Nuanced, refined and deeply expressive, it possesses freshness, poise, and incredible length on the finish.

97 Points - Vinous
"According to Technical Director Eric Kohler, the 2024 Lafite-Rothschild was picked from September 23 to October 7 and underwent a short vinification—less than three weeks—plus a gentle extraction. The blend includes 16% vin de presse. It has an understated and typical Lafite nose with crushed stone infusing the black fruit, black olive tapenade and marine scents. It comes across as statesmanlike, which is just how you want your First Growth, even in a tricky vintage like this. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh saline notes on the entry. Tensile from the start, this has very impressive focus and is a tad more peppery than previous vintages. This is an assured Lafite-Rothschild with a very seaweed/Japanese wakame-tinged finish. Very promising and one of the very few "cerebral" Left Bank wines in 2024."

Blend: 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2033–2066

A cerebral, elegant Lafite in a throwback style, this 2024 vintage showcases red fruit, graphite, and cedar with a Burgundian finesse. Nuanced, refined and deeply expressive, it possesses freshness, poise, and incredible length on the finish.

97 Points - Vinous
"According to Technical Director Eric Kohler, the 2024 Lafite-Rothschild was picked from September 23 to October 7 and underwent a short vinification—less than three weeks—plus a gentle extraction. The blend includes 16% vin de presse. It has an understated and typical Lafite nose with crushed stone infusing the black fruit, black olive tapenade and marine scents. It comes across as statesmanlike, which is just how you want your First Growth, even in a tricky vintage like this. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh saline notes on the entry. Tensile from the start, this has very impressive focus and is a tad more peppery than previous vintages. This is an assured Lafite-Rothschild with a very seaweed/Japanese wakame-tinged finish. Very promising and one of the very few "cerebral" Left Bank wines in 2024."

Blend: 47% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2028–2045

Driven by Merlot, this plush and inviting Carruades shows fresh red berries, cherries, and fine tannins. It's elegant, crunchy, and charming, with delicate floral and mineral notes through a nuanced finish.

94 Points - James Suckling
"A juicy and fruity Carruade that's driven by Merlot this year. Fresh red berry and cherry fruit, with a medium body and a light, composed framework of tannins. Fresh, crunchy and elegant, with a delicate, nuanced finish. 47% merlot, 45% cabernet sauvignon, 6% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot."