Critic Notes
The aromas of stones, oyster shell, blackcurrants and mushrooms are very intense. Full-bodied, dense and powerful with lots of blackberries. Great finish. Super energy and depth. Try in 2022. Fascinating. Feb 2017, www.jamessuckling.com
Score: 98-/100James Suckling
A great wine, this Lafite has great power and richness as well as a wonderfully elegant touch. It is dark and brooding on the one hand and fresh in black currant fruit on the other. Woody tones support the superb fruits and complement the texture. Apr 2015, www.wineenthusiast.com
Score: 97-99/100Wine Enthusiast
Lovely floral nose and almost understated compared to Mouton – just a line of clarity and fruit purity that doesn’t need description. Fine tannins and that wild violet lift over a firm textured depth of fruit, all in perfect harmony. Steven Spurrier, Apr 2015, www.decanter.com, Drink: 2022-2045
Score: 18.75-/20DecanterDrinking Window: 2022-2045
The Château Lafite-Rothschild 2014 is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, picked from 22 September until 10 October with the Petit Verdot, the Cabernet finished two days earlier. The Grand Vin is adorned with surprising richness and opulence on the nose: layers of ripe black plum and juniper, fine definition with even a hint of fig developing with continued aeration. After 5 minutes it turns volte face and becomes much more graphite and cedary - more Pauillac in essence. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannin, a potent core of black and blue fruit with a bullish (for Lafite) peacock's tail on the finish. Very long in the mouth, this is a Lafite that yearns to compensate for last year and it accomplishes that with some panache. eRobertParker.com.April, 2015
Score: 94-96/100Neal Martin
An earthy mélange of cedar and ripe berries on the nose, this wine is smooth, soft and fresh with the aroma of cassis and blackberries. Its refined tannins evoke the silky finesse of a crisp, dark red berry finish. The harvest took place between September 22 and October 10, beginning with the Merlot, followed by the Petit Verdot and representing 38% of the crop. A combination of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, the wine reached 12.7% alcohol. Chateau Lafite Rothschild is often a difficult wine to taste young. This could easily out on weight, improving in bottle and beyond. Apr 2015, www.thewinecellarinsider.com
Score: 94-95/100Jeff Leve
A rich, powerful wine, the 2014 Lafite boasts superb depth, nuance and class. Hints of plum, cinnamon, wild flowers and exotic spices are woven throughout, but the flavors remain quite primary. The delicate, brilliant finish points to a bright future for a Lafite that should start to drink well with minimal cellaring. The blend is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Lafite accounts for 38% of the production. Apr 2015, www.vinous.com
Score: 92-95/100Antonio Galloni
87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Nuanced, very healthy crimson with a ruby rim. Tea leaves on the nose. Rather severe palate with marked tannins quotient. Very Cabernet indeed – but Cabernet that is far from opulent. A bit more stolid than most Lafites. Bone dry and without the beautiful aromatic lift that characterises the best vintages. A bit short on charm. Apr 2015, www.jancisrobinson.com, Drink: 2025-2040
Score: 17.5-/20Jancis RobinsonDrinking Window: 2025-2040
