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. - William Kelley

Complex aromas of blackcurrants and lead pencil. Incredible. Graphite and tar. Stunning. It’s full-bodied, yet shows such harmony and polish. Elegance and complexity with finesse. The tannins are so integrated and endless. It goes on for minutes. 94% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot and 1% petit verdot.

Le bouquet de Lafite pose les jalons d’entrée et annonce un très grand vin. Que d’équilibre olfactif où des nuances florales, fruitées et épicées sont en parfaite harmonie. En bouche le vin s’annonce avec une certaine timidité, respectivement il se révèle très lentement, tout en finesse, sur la pointe des pieds. Au fil du palais, les tannins s’installent et prennent possession de la bouche. Ils sont d’un exceptionnelle finesse et d’une puissance sereine, précise, pertinente. Que de grandeur, de délicatesse, de force tranquille et quelle aptitude à briller par tant de finesse et de longueur. Un très grand Lafite qui confirme brillamment les aptitudes annoncées durant les primeurs. 2027-2060.

An opulent and fruit-forward vintage for Lafite in 2019. Vivid purple colour in the glass with blackcurrant, cherry and milk chocolate notes. Gorgeous weight on the palate with such fine tannins and depth of flavour - not so much rich but driven, refined, elegant, almost refrained. Feels compact at first, settling to reveal layers of vibrant spiced fruit and and cooling menthol hints alongside clear graphite and wet stone that comes through clearly. Supremely balanced with an underlying mouth filling juiciness that offers finessed creamy fruit. Structured and well framed with a long life ahead. 2028 - 2050. - Georgina Hindle