Château Lafite Rothschild - Pauillac 2004

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/1/2017

The 2004 Lafite-Rothschild appears to be another late-bloomer in the sense that this 12-year-old bottle is the best I have tasted, implying an upward swing in quality. It has a wondrous bouquet, very sensual and pure with blackberry, graphite and cedar - all the hallmarks of Pauillac, delivered with great panache. It is more opulent than I recall. The palate is medium-bodied with silky tannins, pitch-perfect acidity and a beautiful structure. There is a regal sense to this Lafite, understated compared to the other First Growths and yet the persistence on the finish deserves a round of applause, especially in the context of the vintage. This is superb and could possibly turn out to be the pick of the Firsts. Tasted September 2016.

Wine Advocate

94 / 100

byNeal Martinthe8/1/2014

Tasted at Bordeaux Index annual 10-year on tasting from an ex-château bottle. At ten years of age, the Lafite-Rothschild 2004 is beginning to show more intensity on the nose compared to the Mouton 2004, with strong graphite and pencil box aromas. This could only be a Pauillac. The palate is medium-bodied with precise black fruit, graphite and spice aromas. There is very good depth and harmony towards the finish, real weight in the mouth with a long persistent finish of red berry fruit laced with graphite. This is very classy - as usual. Tasted March 2014.

Wine Advocate

93 / 100

byNeal Martinthe1/28/2009

This is very refined on the nose with blackberry, wild strawberry and a touch of graphite and road tar, with cedar notes becoming ever more prominent with aeration. Very good definition. The palate has definitely come alive since its showing at primeur. Medium-bodied with very pure black fruits, superb minerality and very fine tannins. It is not quite as complex as one might expect a Lafite, but it does exude minerality and verve. Pure and sleek on the finish with wonderful poise. Excellent. Drink 2012-2030. Tasted November 2008.

La Revue du Vin de France

19 / 20

the8/29/2007

Une des stars du millésime, d'une distinction et d'une profondur fantastiques, avec de magnifiques notes de fruits noirs, de mine de crayon et de boisé noble. Un grand vinaristocratique, précis et long. A ne pas manquer, il ira loin.

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe7/2/2007

This beautiful, stunningly dense purple-colored effort (includes about 90% Cabernet Sauvignon) offers up precise notes of graphite, black cherries, cassis, scorched earth, and minerals. Medium to full-bodied with fabulous fruit, impressive richness, refreshing acidity, and sweet tannin, this beauty should be approachable in 4-5 years, and last for three decades. As Lafite Rothschilds go, this is somewhat of a sleeper vintage. Also tasted: 2004 Carruades de Lafite (88)

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

93 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2007

Medium ruby-red. Scented nose offers plum, mocha, licorice, graphite, flowers and tobacco. Suave, silky and fine-grained, with lovely inner-mouth aromatic character and energy. Perfumed flavors of redcurrant, minerals and cedar. Finishes very long and firm, with terrific grip for this mostly gentle vintage.

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/31/2007

Intense aromas of currant, coffee, toasty oak and sweet tobacco follow through to a full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins, great mouthfeel and a long finish. A refined Lafite. Best after 2012. 22,080 cases made.

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe1/24/2007

Intense aromas of currant, coffee, toasty oak and sweet tobacco follow through a full-bodied palate with velvety tannins, great mouthfeel and a long, caressing finish. A refined Lafite. Best after 2012.

Wine Advocate

92-94 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2006

One of the better wines of the vintage, the elegantly-styled 2004 Lafite Rothschild reveals hints of lead pencil, crushed rocks, flowers, creme de cassis, and cranberries. Medium-bodied with considerable finesse, length, ripeness, and structure, this blend of 90.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and a dollop of Petit Verdot requires 3-5 years of cellaring. It should be drunk over the following three decades.

Wein Wisser

19 / 20

byRené Gabrielthe5/3/2005

Wine Advocate

92-95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/2/2005

Only 40% of the crop made it into the 2004 grand vin, which is the antithesis of the opulent, powerful, concentrated 2003. The linear, elegant 2004 is a classic Lafite, revealing cassis, raspberry, graphite, and new earth-like characteristics. With terrific concentration, medium body, fresh acidity, and a vibrant, stylish taste, this blend of 90.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and 0.5% Petit Verdot should be at its finest between 2010-2030.

TAST

18 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/28/2005

Robe ferme, nez précis et noble de cèdre, corps ferme et équilibré, tannin ultra racé de cabernet-sauvignon propre à ce terroir unique, un peu moins de vinosité semble-t-il que Latour. En revance l'échantillon du second vin, Carruades, déçoit, banal et infiniment moins bien constitué à ce stade que Forts de Latour ou même que Pavillon rouge. On peut encore revoir la copie...

Carnets de dégustation RVF

9 / 10

the4/22/2005

90,5% cabernet-sauvignon, 9% merlot, 0,5% petit verdot. 100% de fût neuf comme d'habitude. La robe dense apparâit presque noire. Après un nez intense, sur la réglisse, la bouche se révèle droite et dense, rectiligne. Doté d'une belle chair et de superbes tanins, le vin témoigne d'une petite prise de bois et termine long, avec une petite fluidité. Un millésime très classique, austère, mais au grand potentiel.

Wine Advocate

92-95 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe4/1/2005

Only 40% of the crop made it into the 2004 grand vin, which is the antithesis of the opulent, powerful, concentrated 2003. The linear, elegant 2004 is a classic Lafite, revealing cassis, raspberry, graphite, and new earth-like characteristics. With terrific concentration, medium body, fresh acidity, and a vibrant, stylish taste, this blend of 90.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and 0.5% Petit Verdot should be at its finest between 2010-2030.

Wine Spectator

92-94 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe3/30/2005

Extremely pretty sweet tobacco, currant and hints of oak follow through to full-bodied palate, with fine tannins and a long, long finish. Really refined and long. You have to like this Lafite.