Château Lafite-Rothschild 2019

Still closed at this stage, with pronounced density and breed, powerful, class tannins with polish, minerality and freshness. The second wine, Carruades, is also excellent (16.5 points).

A very energetic wine, with wild loganberry, mulberry and black currant fruit flavors that bristle with mouthwatering bay leaf, licorice root and savory notes. The finish is tight now, with charcoal shadings and a smoldering cast-iron note, but there's additional black tea, incense and floral hints for contrast. Dense and driven, with more than enough elements to match its energy, meaning this can cruise in the cellar for a long time. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2026 through 2045.

In 2019, 50% less Lafite was released en primeur, at a 20% discount compared to 2018. Surprisingly forward and beautifully balanced, this has a glorious combination of richness, purity of fruit, pronounced lead pencil/mineral notes and ultra-refined tannins. Dark cherry and blueberry on the palate, with intriguing menthol and leafy aromas, all wrapped in enveloping oak. Not as massive as Margaux but so refined, complex and elegant. This will be even more stunning in another five years.

So much sweet tobacco, Spanish cedar, dried flowers, dark mushrooms and roses. Really aromatic. This is so polished and very powerful, yet ethereal and refined at the same time. The finish goes on for minutes. Tight and harmonious. You want to drink it! So balanced, yet it will age beautifully. It will be this good forever. 94% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Better after 2031.

94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. Barrel sample. Supreme elegance in the Lafite mould. Fresh and fragrant on the nose with mineral, cedar and dark-fruit notes. Poise and precision on the palate, the attack clean and direct, the tannins long and linear but enrobed in ripe fruit. Dense but with a reined-in discretion. Silky texture and overall great freshness. Just edges the 2018 for freshness and finesse. (JL)

The 2019 Lafite-Rothschild is a mesmerizing wine that shows how compelling the vintage is on the Left Bank. Elegant, creamy and exquisitely layered, the 2019 Lafite conquers all the senses. There is tremendous density and power that belies the 12.8% alcohol, but then again, that can be the magic of Bordeaux. Classic Lafite red plum fruit, spice, cedar, licorice and rose petal linger on the striking, persistent finish.

A stunning example of Lafite Rothschild, the wine is deep, ruby in color. The attention seeking perfume serves up its Cuban cigar wrapper, roses, spice box, cedar, lead pencil and array of red fruits and blackberries easily. The most refined of all the First Growths, the 2019 is a modern version of classic Bordeaux at its best. Perfectly balanced, elegant, and deftly situated on the corner of power and harmony, the finish lingers and expands with its layers of sweet, fresh, pure, bright, crisp red fruits, spice, and herbs. The wine blends 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. Patient consumers will be rewarded if they are willing to wait before opening a bottle. Drink from 2030-2065.

Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the edge. A hint of nougat, ripe cherries, a hint of cassis, fresh orange zest, a hint of fine oak, very inviting. Complex, full-bodied, ripe black cherry fruit, pleasant fruitiness, silky tannins, freshly structured, mineral, a hint of chocolate. Incredibly seductive even at this early stage, great length, certain ageing potential, a wine of enormous charm and great finesse.

Pure and gravely, already integrated oak despite 100% new oak. Inky dark fruit, cassis, tobacco, fine leather and charcoal. Great mouthfeel, combining freshness and power, grainy tannins with plenty of weight, restrained dark fruit and a very long, lingering finish.

The Grand Vin 2019 Château Lafite Rothschild is based on 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot that hit 13.4% natural alcohol with a pH of 3.9. It's a pure, seamless, incredibly accessible Lafite offering a beautiful, classic array of ripe currants, spice box, tobacco, and classic Lafite sandalwood and lead pencil nuances. Medium to full-bodied and beautifully balanced on the palate, it has a seamless, layered mouthfeel, just about perfect tannins, and a finish that just keeps you coming back to the glass. Despite the high pH, it remains fresh, lively, and a perfect example of the class this estate is known for. It's up-front and accessible (and I'd gladly drink a bottle), but smart money will hide bottles for just 5-7 years and enjoy them over the coming 30-40 years.

For a lover of matured wines, it is a bit surprising to nominate a newly released vintage as the wine experience of the year. On the other hand, it offers the chance that this wonderful tasting experience won’t be a one‑hit wonder. The young 2019 Château Lafite Rothschild is the squaring of the circle, a perfect synthesis of Burgundy and Bordeaux – a Musigny Grand Cru with the finest Bordeaux aromas. Absolutely outstanding, and with every sip a sensory world of its own. Highly noble; extremely fine, at times delicately woven, with a complexity and balance that leave you speechless. Despite this sensitive, refined character, it has structure, energy, and an inspiring vitality. Wine in perfection that, even now – with sufficient aeration – invites sensual delight and hours of contemplation. Without ifs or buts, the highest score.

There is a sense of discretion to this Lafite, full of pencil lead, crayon, chalk-textured minerality, with clear grain and grip to the tannins that lets everything unfold slowly and calmly, no drama yet a steadily building sense of power. Enjoyable precision and chiseling to the spiced cassis and bilberry fruit; this feels supremely Lafite in its balance and finesse. The tight structure relaxes in the glass, adding a layer of creaminess to the blackberry and loganberry fruit. A large majority of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, taking up its dominant role with grace. Brilliant quality. Harvest September 19 to October 7. Lafite always takes its time to show its full potential, and this could easily be a 100-point wine at the 10-year-plus window.

The 2019 Lafite Rothschild is composed of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it is a little closed and broody, delivering subtle notes of stewed tea, aniseed, and crushed rocks over a core of warm cassis and baked plums. The medium-bodied palate is velvety and concentrated, with loads of black fruit preserves layers and a long, spicy finish.

A noble, pure cedar nose, slightly more precise than in the recent past, harmonious and balanced. The tannin is perfectly extracted. Only a somewhat strict, drying oak presence prevents it, for now, from offering that little extra we would wish for in this wine.

2019 is also absolutely superb and continues to evolve with grace and depth, with its noble tannins. The precision on the palate and, above all, its endless, fresh finish unfurls waves of addictive flavors.

A bouquet of immense depth, an opaque darkness that envelops the nose, then a floral scent of violets—subtle yet self-assured—gradually builds in intensity. On the palate, incredible finesse, great purity, and the delicate power of a dancer. A majestic, quiet wine with juicy, enticing fruit and soft, silky, perfectly melt-in-the-mouth tannins… Grand and indulgent all the way through the finish.

Lafite’s bouquet sets the tone from the outset and heralds a truly great wine. Such aromatic balance, where floral, fruity, and spicy nuances are in perfect harmony. On the palate, the wine first appears somewhat shy, then reveals itself very slowly, with great finesse, tiptoeing forward. As it unfolds across the palate, the tannins settle in and take possession of the mouth. They display exceptional finesse and a serene, precise, and pertinent power. So much grandeur, delicacy, quiet strength, and a remarkable ability to shine through sheer finesse and length. A truly great Lafite that brilliantly confirms the promise shown during the en primeur tastings.

Dark, intense, and beautiful color. Highly aromatic nose—refined, subtle, delicate, deep, airy, noble, and complex. These impressions are confirmed with a swirl, where this vintage reveals a magical purity. Airy from the first sip, with a meticulous texture, charming aromas, and a particularly graceful carriage, the wine melts on the palate—noble and perpetually airy. Classy and moving! An incredible achievement, and with a low alcohol level to boot (13%). Don’t hesitate to taste it young and before 2025; otherwise, wait.