2014 - Ch Lafite Rothschild 1er Cru Pauillac - 1x75cl
- Colour Red
- Producer Château Lafite Rothschild
- Region Pauillac
- Case size 1x75cl
- Available Now
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Goedhuis, April 2015, Score: 94-96
With such a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%) in the blend, this was slightly reserved at the time of tasting. Dense and opaque in colour, this is a full robust style, packed with cassis and black cherry flavours. The characteristic freshness of the vintage provides an additional layer of complexity; this will reward patience and has the typical Lafite mantle of understated class.
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Neal Martin, March 2018, Score: 95
The 2014 Lafite-Rothschild has an incredibly fruit-driven bouquet with layers of black cherries, cassis, raspberry preserve and menthol aromas all beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet core of intense red berry fruit laced with white pepper, sage and a hint of fennel. The balance here is exquisite and the manner in which it fans out on the final third is just glorious. You could actually broach this now, it is so drinkable, but it has the substance to suggest long-term ageing. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
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Neal Martin, March 2017, Score: 95
The 2014 Lafite-Rothschild, tasted with head winemaker Eric Kohler, has retained that very opulent and outgoing bouquet that dare I say actually reminded me of Mouton-Rothschild. There are layers of blackberry and boysenberry fruit, still that hint of juniper berry, certainly a more extrovert Lafite-Rothschild compared to recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, very focused and quite linear, again with plenty of black fruit laced with cedar and tobacco. It begins to clam up towards the saline finish, suggesting that it will need several years in bottle, but I still have high expectations for this First Growth once afforded several years in bottle.
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Neal Martin, April 2015, Score: 94-96
The Château Lafite-Rothschild 2014 is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, picked from 22 September until 10 October with the Petit Verdot, the Cabernet finished two days earlier. The Grand Vin is adorned with surprising richness and opulence on the nose: layers of ripe black plum and juniper, fine definition with even a hint of fig developing with continued aeration. After 5 minutes it turns volte face and becomes much more graphite and cedary - more Pauillac in essence. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannin, a potent core of black and blue fruit with a bullish (for Lafite) peacock's tail on the finish. Very long in the mouth, this is a Lafite that yearns to compensate for last year and it accomplishes that with some panache.
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Antonio Galloni, April 2015, Score: 92-95
A rich, powerful wine, the 2014 Lafite-Rothschild boasts superb depth, nuance and class. Hints of plum, cinnamon, wild flowers and exotic spices are woven throughout, but the flavors remain quite primary. The delicate, brilliant finish points to a bright future for a Lafite that should start to drink well with minimal cellaring. The blend is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. In 2014, the Grand Vin accounts for 38% of the production.
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Decanter, April 2015, Score: 95+
Lovely floral nose and almost understated compared to Mouton – just a line of clarity and fruit purity that doesn't need description. Fine tannins and that wild violet lift over a firm textured depth of fruit, all in perfect harmony. Drink: 2022-2045
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Jancis Robinson, April 2015, Score: 17.5
87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Nuanced, very healthy crimson with a ruby rim. Tea leaves on the nose. Rather severe palate with marked tannins quotient. Very Cabernet indeed – but Cabernet that is far from opulent. A bit more stolid than most Lafites. Bone dry and without the beautiful aromatic lift that characterises the best vintages. A bit short on charm. Drink 2025-2040
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Tim Atkin, May 2015, Score: 97
A wine that proves that Bordeaux doesn’t have to be full bodied to have concentration and ageing potential, this is a gloriously refined red that doesn’t show its 100% new oak. Stylish tannins, fine red and black fruits and palate-cleansing acidity are framed by attractive oak. One of the wines of the year. Drink: 2022-35
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Wine Spectator, March 2015, Score: 94-97
Very backward, with loads of cedar, espresso and juniper out front, while the core of currant and blackberry fruit stays in reserve. Shows ample grip on the finish, but this is fine-grained and exhibits superb cut.
Producer
Château Lafite Rothschild
One peek into Château Lafite's cellar is like entering into the 18th century. Its cobweb-covered chandeliers subtly light shadowy corridors that play host to hundreds of ancient vintages. Nothing could be more representative of its wine making philosophy - classic, stylish and yet powerful - characteristics that have made it one of the most collectible wines in the world. Situated in the north of Pauillac, Château Lafite-Ro...Read more
One peek into Château Lafite's cellar is like entering into the 18th century. Its cobweb-covered chandeliers subtly light shadowy corridors that play host to hundreds of ancient vintages. Nothing could be more representative of its wine making philosophy - classic, stylish and yet powerful - characteristics that have made it one of the most collectible wines in the world. Situated in the north of Pauillac, Château Lafite-Rothschild sits on gravel soils with bits of limestone scattered in the mix. It is one of the largest estates in the Medoc and one of the most prominent, the wines exude elegance and finesse. The vineyard is laid out to mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) with the rest comprising Merlot (25%) Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (2%). The second wine, Carruades de Lafite, has a slightly more Merlot than the Grand Vin and is thus more approachable in its youth.Read less
Region
Pauillac
Due south of St Estèphe lies the appellation of Pauillac, the king of Left Bank communes. It is home to three first growths as well as a plethora of other classified growths. Pauillac's renowned well-draining, gravelly soils enable its dominant grape Cabernet Sauvignon to reach fantastic heights of complexity and concentration. As a result, Pauilac's wines tend to be full-bodied with compact tannins and good freshness. Its aromatics are often what one associates with classic Bordeaux: pencil shavings, black currant and occasional mint. Some of the most famous châteaux of the commune are Latour, Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild, Pichon Baron, Pichon Lalande and Lynch Bages.