2018 Lafite Rothschild
By Chateau Lafite Rothschild
2018 Lafite Rothschild from Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux
In my four decades of sipping and savouring the elixirs of Bordeaux, the 2018 Lafite Rothschild from Chateau Lafite Rothschild strikes a distinctive chord in the opus of fine vintages. A year where challenge and triumph coalesced in the vineyards, 2018 unfurled remarkable conditions that perfectly accentuated the artistic prowess of this storied estate.
Reflections on a Noteworthy Vintage
The elements working in unison bequeathed us with firm, richly coloured grapes, lending this illustrious wine deep complexity and amplitude. My contemplations of the 2018 Lafite Rothschild unravel layers of cassis, nuanced by youthful tannins that speak with eloquence but promise reticence. Cultivated patience will reward discerning collectors; the potential for cellar evolution here is astounding.
The Pedigree of Pauillac
The influence of Pauillac's prime terroir on the 2018 vintage is indubitably profound. A symbiosis of gravelly soils and maritime climate has fostered a wine resplendent with exceptional balance – a testimony to both nature's endowment and human craft. With graceful notes of blackberry and subtle hints of graphite intermingling in each glass, this offering affirms why Chateau Lafite Rothschild remains a touchstone for worldwide oenophiles.
Investment Potential Arrayed in Crystal Decanters
The savvy investor discerns not only the sensory journey but also the promise of burgeoning value. The 2018 Lafite Rothschild exhibits attributes that are sure to captivate the investment community: scarcity coupled with unparalleled quality engenders immense potential for appreciation in the years ahead.
In conclusion, 2018 Lafite Rothschild from Chateau Lafite Rothschild is an exemplary symphony of what nature and nurture can co-create; it holds within its ruby depths both immediate allure and latent profundity. A wine that is certain to excite conversation among enthusiasts and a resounding investment for those looking to enrich their cellars with a blend of financial foresight and sensory delight.
Current market price
$10,820.00
12x75cl
Highest score
100
POP score
325
Scores and tasting notes
The 2018 Lafite Rothschild is blended of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Merlot and 0.5% Petit Verdot and has 13.3% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it needs a fair bit of swirling to unlock intoxicating scents of blackcurrant cordial, baked plums and black cherry compote with an undercurrent of dark chocolate, licorice, cast-iron pan, cedar chest and fertile loam, plus a waft of pencil lead. The delicately crafted, medium-bodied palate is dripping with class, featuring layers of mineral-laced black fruits and exquisitely ripe, singularly Lafite tannins, finishing with epic length and depth. This simply stunning, delicately crafted expression of 2018 with its singularly evocative imprint of Lafite will require a good 7-8 years in bottle, then should continue to inspire awe over the following 40+ years.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate, 31 March 2021
A very compact and linear Lafite with a fantastic mouthfeel of intense but ever so refined tannins that draw a straight line through the middle of the wine. It’s full-bodied yet compact with complex character of plums, blackcurrants, cigar tobacco, cedar and hints of hazelnuts and coffee. Salty. Orange zest at the end. Delicacy with power. Richness with softness. Glamorous. Lasts for minutes at the finish.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com - April 2019
This is silky and delicious and juicy, not something you can often say about a Lafite En Primeur sample but before you even get close to tasting the wine you can feel the layers building. It has the precision, the freshness and the sense of effortless elegance that Lafite always conveys with lots of power and depth, deep black fruits on the nose and a mix of spices from rosemary to saffron on the palate. Is it better than the 2016? It’s hard to say at this stage but it certainly feels its equal, although differently constructed and unlikely to take as long to come around - think 10 rather than 14 years before reaching its drinking window. It's worth adding that very few wines have been so unmarked by the extremes of the vintage, or as technical director Eric Kohler puts it; 'Even after 25 years of working at Lafite I continue to be full of admiration for this terroir. Other plots that we own reacted to the heat at times, but Lafite just kept sailing on as usual'. The harvest took place between 17 September and 5 October, with a yield of 40hl/ha. 40% of the production went into the grand vin. 3.75pH which is classic for them. 74IPT. 98-100 points.
Jane Anson - Decanter - April 2019
The 2018 Lafite-Rothschild is creamy, sensual and inviting, with lovely purity of fruit and impeccable balance. Dark cherry, plum, licorice and spice are some of the many nuances that develop. Time in the glass brings out striking aromatic depth and overall persistence. Although an undeniably attractive wine, the 2018 does not appear to have the sheer pedigree of the very best wines in this vintage. None of the three samples I tasted were as impressive as I had hoped for. Perhaps I had bad luck. Time will tell. The blend is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Merlot and 0.5% Petit Verdot.
Antonio Galloni - Vinous - April 2019