Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 2018 - 1er Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

It will follow in the footsteps of the 1959 in the legend, with more intensity at birth, more precision, more harmonics in flavor and more finesse in the integration of tannin than in any of the previous fine vintages. A great wine worthy of its pedigree.

About the domain :

The supreme Cru of Pauillac, Lafite owes its unrivalled finesse to the gravelly soil in the northern part of the appellation, on a limestone bedrock, with extremely rigorous selections that leave out more than half the harvest. Strongly marked by Cabernet Sauvignon, which often accounts for more than 90% of the blend, Lafite shines with notes of cedar and graphite that require more than fifteen years to blossom. The new team in charge of the estate (the duo Saskia de Rothschild and Éric Kohler) is committed to giving greater dimension to the wines, both grand vin and second.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

A former seigneury whose jurisdiction extended to the north of Pauillac, the estate owes its château to the Ségurs, Bordeaux parliamentarians and major vineyard owners, as well as a viticultural vocation established as early as the 17th century, which led to its elevation to the rank of 1ercru classé in 1855. But it owes much to the Rothschilds, who acquired it in 1868, that it has been protected from the divisions and transfers that have weakened so many prestigious estates. It also owes its modernization and high-performance tools, such as the famous circular cellar designed by Ricardo Bofill, to the team formed by Éric de Rothschild, at the helm since 1974, and Charles Chevallier, its technical director until 2016. These tools enable us to fully reveal the personality of an exceptional terroir planted with 112 ha of vines: a superb ridge of fine, deep gravel on a limestone subsoil. Éric Kohler took over as technical director of Lafite in 2016, while Charles Chevallier remains consultant and ambassador of the château.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

Deep purple-black in color, Lafite Rothschild 2018 needs shaking in the glass to reveal intoxicating notes of cassis, baked plums and black cherry compote, with a hint of dark chocolate, licorice, cast-iron skillet, cedar, fertile soil and pencil lead. The delicately crafted, medium-bodied palate drips with class, with layers of mineral-tinged black fruits and deliciously ripe tannins. Epic length and depth. This 2018 expression is simply stunning and delicately crafted. The wine bears the singularly evocative imprint of Lafite and will require 7-8 years in bottle, then should continue to inspire admiration for the next 40 years.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Made from 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, Lafite Rothschild remains totally true to itself, with incredible breed, definition and precision in the tannins that impress. It is carried by a vibrant, never-ending finish.

About the domain :

Lafite is the most refined of Médoc wines when, after a few years' ageing, it reveals its bewitching aromas of graphite and pencil lead. Tasting it is like discovering a unique touch and sap. A vast estate of 178 hectares, 105 of which are planted with vines, Lafite has belonged to the Rothschild family since 1868. The château also boasts one of the richest heritages of (very) old vintages in the world, which shows just how consistent the estate has been (with the exception of a few vintages). Saskia, daughter of Éric de Rothschild, took over as head of the group's properties in 2018, while Éric Kholer has overseen vinification since 2016. Of particular note in recent vintages is the progress made by the second wine, Les Carruades.

Wine Enthusiast

About the wine:

Ranked 53rd out of 100 in the Top International Wines to Cellar in 2021: An immensely structured wine, complex, concentrated and yet so contained. The wine impresses with its balance, layers of succulent blackcurrant fruit and effortless style. A wine for the long term, it shouldn't be drunk before 2029.

James Suckling

About the wine:

WOW! The aromas are both intense and refined, with gorgeous notes of blackcurrant, pencil lead and orchid. The fruit is so pure. It's elegant and finely polished, with fine tannins that give it such grace and glamour. Yet it has the power and structure to age for decades. Over and over again. Try it after 2029.

Yves Beck

About the wine:

Subtle, complex bouquet. Reveals itself very slowly, revealing classic fruity nuances. Notes of red berries, raspberries respectively, followed by hints of mellow and, finally, licorice and peony. On the palate, the wine is fine, subtly slender and creamy. It has an exceptional tannic structure and manages to shine through its finesse, while underlining its power! Rarely have I tasted Lafite Rothschild with such breed and character. The tannins are tight and in phase with the temperament and tension of the acidity. It's all about precision, breed, fine grain and the ability of the tannins to slowly reveal themselves with relevance and precision. A wine that shows off its power without being massive and, above all, that has only 13.3% alcohol, which is very rare for 2018! This is a great Lafite. 2026-2060

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

The nose is beautifully elegant, all finesse/precision (like a delicate silk thread) and offers power (in finesse/control), depth (in subtlety), uprightness, class and depth. Notes of bursting wild blackberry, bright blackcurrant and, more lightly, blueberry are combined with hints of ripe/blushing blue plum, spice, raspberry leaf, tonka bean, a subtle hint of star anise and tea. The palate is elegant, delicate and well-balanced, offering delicacy, distinction, a fine acidic structure, tension, finesse, delicacy, energy, dynamism and complexity. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy blackcurrant, boysenberry and, more lightly, juicy violet plum, combined with touches of bright raspberry, almond, hazelnut, a discreet hint of blueberry, licorice stick, gravel, a subtle hint of clove and an imperceptible hint of caramelization/vanilla (in the background). A wine of great brilliance, distinction and finesse.