Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2021 with Wooden Box
Listing is for ONE bottle in a sealed, wooden box.
The first mention of the name Lafite, in reference to the estate in Pauillac, was in 1234. At that time Gombaud de Lafite was the abbot of the Vertheuil Monastary. During the 14th century, it was a mid evil fief. Although there may have been some vineyards on the property, In the 16th century, the Segur family is credited with beginning the property as a wine making estate. Jacques Segur planted vineyards in the 1670s and 1680s. In 1695, his heir married the heiress to Chateau Latour. Their son was Nicholas Alexandre de Segur, who is referred to as the Prince of Vines. He controlled Chateau Lafite, Chateau Latour, Chazteau Calon Segur and Chateau Mouton. The final member of the Segur family to own Lafite was Nicolas Pierre de Pichard. He lost his head in the French Revolution and in 1797, Chateau Lafite was sold to Jean de Witt. He had a very short tenure as owner, selling to 3 Dutch partners. The Rothschild era began in 1686 when Baron James de Rothschild purchased the vineyard. The Rothschild family still owns the property.
| Wine Advocate: 96 |
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| To my palate, the 2021 Lafite Rothschild has emerged as the finest of the Pauillac first growths this year. Wafting from the glass with aromas of dark minty berries mingled with notions of iris, licorice and cigar box, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a velvety attack that segues into an elegantly dense and structured mid-palate that's nicely framed by sweet but abundant tannins, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. |
| Decanter: 97 |
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| I loved this wine during en primeur and I love it still, hovering over giving it 98 points. It’s round and lively but also full and complete, not plush or opulent but supple with intensity and a really enjoyable, juicy acidity and chalky, mineral grip to the tannins. It’s not trying too hard yet still displays power: such concentration and balance. The 96% Cabernet works so well and gives Lafite a star performer this year. This is one you're still going to want to crack open and finish, in 10, 20 or 30 years. |
| Wine Enthusiast: 98 |
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| This wine is the essence of Bordeaux Cabernet. Dominated by this variety at 96%, it exudes tannins and black-currant fruits. Structure is all there, backed by acidity. It is a wine for serious aging. |
| Vinous: 97 |
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| The 2021 Lafite-Rothschild is every bit as exceptional as it was from barrel. The high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon comes through loud and clear. All the elements are so well balanced. The 2021 is dark, racy and full of Lafite sensuality, all kicked up by the natural intensity of the year. Dark red/purplish fruit, mint, lavender and rose petal are all on display. It’s not a showy wine, and it will need quite a bit of time to fully reveal its charms. |
| James Suckling: 97 |
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| Reminiscent of the 1995 Lafite but modern, this wine is extremely aromatic, showing lead pencil, currants, blackberries, black olives and smoke with some gunpowder. Notes of iodine, stone, blood and ink. It is medium-bodied, with very fine and creamy tannins that show so much finesse and length. Racy at the end. |
| Jeb Dunnuck: 94 |
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| A classic expression of this Château, the 2021 Château Lafite-Rothschild checks in as 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot brought up in a mix of new and used barrels. It's not massive but textbook Lafite with its red and black currant fruit as well as cedar pencil, ripe tobacco, graphite, and spicy nuances. More medium-bodied on the palate, it has a great mid-palate, ample concentration, ripe, polished tannins, and a gorgeous finish. The vintage doesn't get much better than this beauty, and it should round into form (I would gladly drink a bottle today) with 4-6 years of bottle age. It might be one of the longest-lived wines in the vintage, offering 30 years or more of prime drinking. |