1988 Lafite Rothschild
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Tasting Notes
Proving leopards can change their spots to some extent, while still on the firm side, some of its previous austere character has abated. Now, you find a charming, though firm, strict, medium-bodied, crisp, chewy wine with an herbal edge. Classic in nature, but in a good way.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Wine Spectator
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Beautiful and subtle on the nose, with mineral, berry, licorice and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a pretty balance of fruit and mint. Long and caressing. Real claret here. Everyone talks about 1989, but this is very close in quality. -'88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Drink now.
Beautiful and subtle on the nose, with mineral, berry, licorice and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a pretty balance of fruit and mint. Long and caressing. Real claret here. Everyone talks about 1989, but this is very close in quality.¿'88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Drink now. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 2009
Youthful colour. Nose of griottes and minerals: dusty fruits. Very typical 1988. Quite backward on the palate which is ungenerous and quite broody. Austere: a classic claret. Less showy than Mouton. Quite dry on finish. Very fine but drink within 5 years. Tasted January 2003. Neal Martin, eRobertParker.com
About the producer
Ch. Lafite Rothschild is one of the most famous wine estates in Bordeaux and the world. One of the Left Bank’s five First Growths, the Pauillac property is renowned for producing wines of finesse and elegance that age beautifully.