2017 Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac

“This is delicious, a real take-a-step-back moment. There's a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon here, complex and layered with cassis and bilberry notes that tease the attack before being filled out with charcoal, slate, cedar, and even truffle hints, even at this early stage. The finish just doesn't want to quit. It's effortless but questioning, and most importantly it feels like a Lafite - for me this is a contender for red wine of the vintage. Less intense than 2016, but still just beautiful. 40hl/ha yield, unaffected by frost, or maybe just one tiny corner. 99% new oak. 3.75pH. (JA)” (04/2018)

“Deep and typical on the nose with blackcurrants, black tea, leather and graphite. The aromas draw you down to the palate. Full-bodied, creamy and beautiful with extremely polished, refined tannins. Yet, it’s powerful and long. Highest percent of cabernet sauvignon ever. Juicy and almost exotic, but very tidy with ripe tannins.” (01/2020)

“A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Merlot, and 0.5% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Lafite Rothschild is deep garnet-purple in color. It rolls out with expressive notions of blackcurrant cordial, fresh juicy blackberries, and Morello cherries, plus touches of violets, crushed rocks, wild sage, and pencil shavings, with a hint of lavender. Light to medium-bodied, the palate delivers exquisitely fine-grained tannins and fantastic tension to counter the tightly knit red and black fruit layers, finishing long and minerally. A stunning wine!” (12/2022)

“This wine is poised, gathering freshness and good acidity in the same structured container as the pure black-currant fruits. With 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine has a classicism about it: fruity and structured at the same time. *Cellar Selection* (RV)” (01/2020)

“During en primeur, the 2017 Lafite-Rothschild was one of the most impressive wines of the Left Bank. Today, it is equally impressive. An ample, richly constituted wine, the 2017 is an unusually dark, somber Lafite, with a percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon that is among the highest ever here. There is a sort of monastic sense of austerity that gives the wine its impression of reserve. Dark cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice, spice and menthol develop in the glass, but it will be many years before it awakens. Readers will have to be patient but there is a lot to look forward to here. Like many of his colleagues, Technical Director Eric Kohler opted for gentle extractions and incorporated a relatively high amount of press wine (16%) into the blend. Those are merely details, though, because the 2017 Lafite is stellar. (AG) 96+” (03/2020)

“This is a youthful tumble of warmed black currant, fig and blackberry paste flavors, entwined with bay leaf, tobacco, savory, lilac, smoldering charcoal and warm cast iron notes. Terrific stony minerality zips everything up for now, but riveting acidity and excellent energy should carry this easily in the cellar. *Collectibles* (JM)” (03/2020)

“The grand vin 2017 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild checks as a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend that includes just 2.5% Merlot and less than 1% of Petit Verdot, brought up in new French oak. It shows the classy, elegant style of both the vintage and the estate, revealing a ruby/purple hue, complex notes of red and black currants, lead pencil, and cedary herbs, medium-bodied richness and depth, and both present tannins and acidity. It checks in behind the 2015 and 2016 yet is nevertheless a classic Lafite. It will benefit from a decade of bottle age and keep for 30 years or more.” (02/2020)

“Deep ruby colour. Succulent, spicy and earthy nose. Very plump and full. Intensely fruited on the palate, but there is a gravelly richness and savour to match. Focused, smoky and dense, yet very vibrant with acidity. This is elegant, with a pure and effortless intensity. Still building momentum on the finish, it will reward patience. 17.5++/20 points (TP)” (09/2021)