Château Lafite Rothschild

Wine Spectator

95 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/28/2005

Very serious fruit, with juicy berry, tobacco and cedar character. Slightly more body than the 1989, but they are very close in character. I would give this a little more time. '89/'90 Bordeaux non-blind horizontal. Best after 2007.

Wine Spectator

96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe6/30/2001

Dark ruby color. Wonderful aromas of plums, berries, mint and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, chunky and rich. Closed yet compacted. Harmonious. Better with age.--Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2005. 25,000 cases made.

Wine Spectator

94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe8/31/2000

This wine has loads in reserve. Dark ruby color. Wonderfully fresh aromas of berries, cherries, blackberries. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Gorgeous Lafite.--1990 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2006. 25,000 cases made.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/1997

As I suspected, the 1989 and 1990 vintages of Lafite-Rothschild have gone dormant. Both wines were among the more closed, backward examples in my blind tasting. The 1990 is riper, richer, and more textured, but mouthsearing tannin and a closed personality make it hard to fully assess. The wine possesses excellent richness, a hint of the unmistakable Lafite perfume of minerals, cedar, lead pencil, and red fruits, medium to full body, moderate weight, admirable richness and overall balance, and a tough finish. Give it a decade of cellaring to shed some tannin and evolve; it may be a 40-50-year Lafite. As outstanding as I believe it will ultimately turn out to be, I do not think the 1990 Lafite will ever match the sheer class, quality, and complexity of the 1988, 1986, and 1982. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2035.

Wine Spectator

96 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe9/15/1996

Always a wonderful wine. Racy Pauillac with plenty of berry, mineral and licorice aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, with full tannins and a subtle finish. Young and lively; this needs a lot of time.--Cabernet Challenge. Best after 2005. 25,000 cases made.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe10/1/1994

Tasted 3 Times Since Bottling With Consistent Notes The 1990 Lafite appears to be a synthesis in style of the backward, tannic 1988 and more forward, softer 1989. The nose is not yet as seductive as the 1989's, but the wine exhibits a deeper, thicker, ruby/purple color, and cuts a fuller, more complete profile on the palate. It not only rivals the seductiveness of the 1989, but it is also a far richer and more tannic wine. Although it needs at least a decade of cellaring, it should last for 30 or more years. An impressive wine, the 1990 Lafite is this estate's finest wine sine the 1982 and 1986. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2025.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/1/1993

The 1990 appears to be a synthesis in style of the backward, tannic 1988 and more forward, softer 1989. The nose is not yet as seductive as the 1989's, but the wine exhibits a deeper, thicker, ruby/purple color, and cuts a fuller, more complete profile on the palate. It not only rivals the seductiveness of the 1989, but it is also a far richer and more tannic wine. Although it needs at least a decade of cellaring, it should last for 30 or more years. An impressive wine, the 1990 Lafite is this estate's finest wine since the 1982 and 1986. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2025. Last tasted, 6/93.

Wine Spectator

97 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/1993

The great first-growth estate produced a wine with amazing length in this new vintage. Goes on and on, with mint, plum and cassis aromas and flavors and ultrafine tannins. A superb Bordeaux. Best after 1999. 25,000 cases made.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/1/1993

The 1990 appears to be a synthesis in style of the backward, tannic 1988 and more forward, softer 1989. The nose is not yet as seductive as the 1989's, but the wine exhibits a deeper, thicker, ruby/purple color, and cuts a fuller, more complete profile on the palate. It not only rivals the seductiveness of the 1989, but it is also a far richer and more tannic wine. Although it needs at least a decade of cellaring, it should last for 30 or more years. An impressive wine, the 1990 Lafite is this estate's finest wine sine the 1982 and 1986. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2025.