Tasting Notes and Scores
99+ - The main reason the 2009 Lafite Rothschild did not receive a perfect score is because the wine has closed down slightly, but it is unquestionably another profound Lafite, their greatest wine since the amazing 2003. Among the most powerful Lafites ever made (it came in at 13.59% alcohol), the final blend was 82.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot. The selection was incredibly severe with only 45% of the crop being utilized. A tight, but potentially gorgeous nose of graphite, black currants, licorice and camphor is followed by a full-bodied wine revealing the classic elegance, purity and delineated style of Lafite. It is phenomenally concentrated with softer tannins than the 2005, the 2003's voluptuous, broad, juicy personality, and low acidity. There are several vintages that I thought were a replay of their colossal 1959, most notably 1982 and 2003, but 2009 is also one to keep an eye on. It is still extremely youthful and seems slightly more backward than I would have guessed based on the barrel tastings, but it needs 10-15 years of bottle age, and should last for 50+.
Robert Parker (Wine Advocate #199, Feb 2012)
97 - The deep garnet colored 2009 Lafite Rothschild bursts from the glass with red and black currant preserves, warm plums, mulberries and kirsch scents plus suggestions of sweaty leather, cigar box and menthol. Medium-bodied, elegant and firmly structured, it has wonderful freshness and a long earthy/meaty finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, March 2019
Wine Advocate
Quality 977 | Brand 999 | Economics 928 |
buzz brand, investment staple
Quality: Predicted life of 16 years, one of the longest drinking windows in its peer group, which averages 9 years
Brand: #2 Most sought after wine globally, with 87,284 searches on Wine-Searcher per month
Economics: #3 most active wine at auction, its top 5 vintages having seen 4,733 75cl equivalent bottles traded in the past year
Production: Higher production than its peer group average of 151,058 bottles
- www.wine-lister.com June 2017
Wine Lister
The 2009 Lafite-Rothschild is quite high-toned and expressive on the nose, perhaps the most ostentatious of the top flight 2009s with upfront black cherry and boysenberry fruit, lavish new oak and touches of violet. The palate is sleek and satin-like in feel with copious dark cherry and boysenberry fruit, fig and dates, almost honeyed in texture towards the precocious finish that has an opulent bent, almost hedonistic, unusual for this First Growth. But it is kinda irresistible. - vinous.com, March 2019
Neal Martin
[82.5CS/17M/.5PV] Softly ripe, fragrant raspberry and blackberry fruit; more Merlot plum than Cabernet cassis at the moment; a beautifully balanced, rich, elegant combination of power and delicacy - ie very Lafite! Almost juicily sweet, and deceptively easy to taste, but with a subtle, clear, intense and persistent aromatic presence, very mineral, very mouthcoating; great length across the palate with an understated, effortless richness and terrific, gently fragrant persistence. An almost burgundian transparency of flavour, with a marked, fine sweetness and minerality on the finish, where the presence of the very fine tannins makes itself felt. Long, fine, graceful and complete in an understated way. Most individual, distinctly Lafite. Likely to be accessible relatively early. 2024-50
Michael Schuster
This is what the Medoc is all about. The freshness and delicacy of this wine in combination with its serious concentration and firm core are totally stunning. Time has already worked its magic and this is already delicious, but has decades in front of it. Drink or hold. (Horizontal Tasting, London, 2019) - Stuart Pigott, jamessuckling.com, March 2019
James Suckling
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