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Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1996
Tasted three times since bottling, the 1996 Lafite-Rothschild is unquestionably this renowned estate's greatest wine. As I indicated last year, only 38% of the crop was deemed grand enough to be put into the final blend, which is atypically high in Cabernet Sauvignon (83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot). This massive wine may be the biggest, largest-scaled Lafite I have ever tasted...It is also the first Lafite-Rothschild to be put into a new engraved bottle (designed to prevent fraudulent imitations). The wine exhibits a thick-looking, ruby/purple color, and a knock-out nose of lead pencil, minerals, flowers, and black currant scents. Extremely powerful and full-bodied, with remarkable complexity for such a young wine, this huge Lafite is oozing with extract and richness, yet has managed to preserve its quintessentially elegant personality. This wine is even richer than it was prior to bottling. It should unquestionably last for 40-50 years. Robert Parker
Ratings on Delectable
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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)
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)
9.7
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.
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.
9.8
Max Coane
The bordeaux bonanza continued
The bordeaux bonanza continued
9.2CK 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.
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.
7.0
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).
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).
9.3
Andrew S
Green pepper, cracked pepper, cloves, dark fruit. Beautiful balance and lengthy finish
Green pepper, cracked pepper, cloves, dark fruit. Beautiful balance and lengthy finish
9.5
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.
Really beautiful right now, it's still showing great fruit intensity but all the development you'd expect of this world-class wine.
9.7Mark 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.
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.
9.5Justin 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.
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.
9.5
Yoon Ha
Master Sommelier/Wine Director Benu
This will become a great wine one day. Without question.
This will become a great wine one day. Without question.
9.6
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