Excellent saturated deep color. Brooding, multidimensional black fruit nose has an extraordinary floral/herbal scent. Very firm and structured, but creamy in the middle, with uncanny inner-mouth perfume. Fairly large-scaled and a wine of solid structure, but less austere than in most vintages. Wonderfully complex, tannic finish promises a long, positive evolution. A great early showing for Lafite; this makes the '94 seems lean and oaky in comparison. A compelling barrel sample.

I have noticed in my tastings that the second wine of Lafite-Rothschild, Carruades de Lafite, has improved over recent years. The 1995 is a 40% Merlot/60% Cabernet Sauvignon blend. It exhibits more of the trademark characteristics of its bigger sibling. Elegant, with spicy new oak, lead pencil, and creamy black currant fruit, this is a medium-bodied, finesse-styled wine with excellent purity and overall equilibrium. It is much more accessible than the 1996, and should drink well between now and 2010.

Mid crimson and evolved rim. Rather scrawny and dry, as well as being lightweight. Rough tannins dominate the wine at present. Unbalanced. (JR)