Critic Notes
Subtle aromas of currants, leather, tobacco and cedar. Classic cigar box nose, with fruit. Full-bodied, with an amazing texture of silky, ripe tannins. This wine completely coats your palate, but caresses it at the same time. This is the best young Lafite ever made. A triumph. Best after 2012. 18,000 cases made. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 2003
Score: 100 / 100Wine Spectator
Since I gave this wine a perfect score, I suppose some could see this as a downgrade. I found everything still there for a perfect rating, but I was just struck by how tight and backward the wine was. A blend of 93.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, the wine still has a dark ruby/purple color and an extraordinarily youthful nose of graphite, black currants, sweet, unsmoked cigar tobacco, and flowers. The wine is rich, medium to full-bodied, but has that ethereal elegance and purity that is always Lafite. I originally predicted that it would first reach maturity in 2011, but I would push that back by 5-7 years now, although it has 50-60 years of life in front of it. Owners of this beauty are probably best advised to forget it for 5 years. Tasted next to a 1996 several days after the 2000 tasting, the 1996, which is a perfect wine, was far closer to full maturity than the 2000. Jun 2010, www.robertparker.com
Score: 98 / 100Robert Parker
Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s 2000 tasting in London. This is much more closed than the Chateau Margaux 2000, stubborn and obdurate at first and then opening up with some vigorous swirling, leather and sous-bois, cigar box, a little subdued but awakening slowly. Classic, classic Pauillac. Lafite? (Written before identity was revealed.) The palate is medium-bodied, quite linear with fine tannins, not giving much away towards the finish that has some lovely fresh, vibrant brambly red-berried fruit with a touch of crushed stone and tobacco. Stunning delineation and poise, plus awesome, ethereal length. Excellent. Drink 2015-2050. Tasted March 2010. Neal Martin, eRobertParker.com
Score: 96 / 100Neal Martin
Dark ruby - same colour as Ch Margaux 2000. Very light - almost soapy - on the nose. Lots of chew and potential. Polished sinewy tanins but not nearly ready - however many bottles have already been drunk in China! Appetising but wait. Green notes at the moment. This has length and potential. Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com
Score: 18.5 / 20Jancis Robinson MW
Huge colour, deep and intense, yet vibrant and clear, superb fragrance on the nose, the typical Lafite touch of violets, very ripe and very firm, the perfect balance of fleshiness and finesse, a very great, classic wine. Ready 2010-2050. Decanter.com
Score: Decanter
