Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1996

Delectable Wine

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The 1996 Lafite-Rothschild is the strongest wine from the First Growth in that decade. This bottle, served blind and ex-château in Bordeaux, is so precociously backward that I estimate it to be half its age. Blackberry, cedar and graphite are here as usual, though this bottle has even more intensity than the one served at the estate in 2018. The palate is brilliantly balanced with fine tannins and very intense graphite-infused fruit; there's just a touch more fruité on the finish. Superb. (Neal Martin, Vinous, January 2023)

Bob McDonald

A generous gift from Dr Mark for my Cabernet Tasting. Sure it’s a wine which will live for decades more, but it is also a treat to try it at 24 years of age if you get the chance. From the excellent 1996 vintage. A rich dark crimson in colour - dense - hinting at the opulence to come. Aromatic heady perfumes with ripe black fruits, cedar and violets. The palate was rich and decadent and very long - full bodied with silky smooth tannins. What an experience! Sublime. A few bottles in the cellar would be nice.

Max Coane

The bordeaux bonanza continued

CK Vong

1996. Uncorked at 10 am, serve at 7 pm. No aroma at all. Nothing and nothing. As usual ending, lafite blend sprite which is very refined and enjoyable. Toss.

Henrik Poulsen

I have been surprised more than once over how certain vintages of Lafite can seem muted for a long time and then miraculous bounce back and show fantastic at 30+ years. That being said I doubt this will ever reach the 98-100 range for me.... (1995 enjoyed a few months ago was in a different league).

Andrew S

Green pepper, cracked pepper, cloves, dark fruit. Beautiful balance and lengthy finish

Nico J. Snyman

Really beautiful right now, it's still showing great fruit intensity but all the development you'd expect of this world-class wine.

Mark Oldman

hard to say who is more excited: the ‪#‎Lafite‬ or the ‪#‎lamb‬- twas big and rich with an explosive nose showing gorgeous black fruit and a pleasing notes of licorice. Its finish goes for miles with sweet-seeming fruit and talcum-like tannins that coat your palate. A beauty that has decades of life left.

Justin Timsit, MS

Wine Director, The Rittenhouse

Really showing secondary character beautifully while still retaining freshness. Ripe and balanced. Still full of fruit with a long way to go. Tasting sanguine and iron-rich on the back-palate with dried cassis and leather up front.

Yoon Ha

Master Sommelier/Wine Director Benu

This will become a great wine one day. Without question.