2011 Lafite Rothschild
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Tasting notes
The last time we tasted at Lafite the wine was awkward and surly: blackly fruited and ferociously structured. showing none of the charm for which this chateau is so famous. Two weeks on and the wine has softened, its showing a nice bit of baby fat and the fruit has taken on a sweeter character AND it is charming! Charles Chevalier said that the final blend was only assembled a couple of weeks before the primeur tastings and agreed that it wasn't showing well but today it is wonderful, easily an 18 pointer and if it continues on its current trajectory will be among the best wines of the vintage. FINE+RARE
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeannie Cho Lee MW
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
More reviews and scores
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The 2011 Lafite-Rothschild was impressive from barrel. It is very composed on the nose with brambly red fruit, loam, touches of sous-bois (decayed autumn leaves). After five minutes, there is a noticeable liquorice scent. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins, a little soft in the middle with a fleshy tarry, liquorice-infused finish that just tapers away. Elegant, refined, but not the First Growth's strongest effort from this period. Tasted blind at the annual 10-Year-On tasting.
Tasted blind. Shaded crimson. Quite a light nose considering the likely price of this. Smooth tannins and lots of sweetness. Good balance. Non pushy. But no problem with excess tannin or acidity. Rather sweet and gentle with light oyster shells on the finish. Admirably restrained. (JR)
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.