Château Lafite Rothschild

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

96 / 100

byStephen Tanzerthe8/31/2013

Deep ruby-purple. Closed but extremely pure and penetrating on the nose, offering delicate aromas of crushed blackcurrant, flint and graphite lifted by a perfumed violet topnote. Very refined and clean on the palate, with concentrated cassis, violet, ink and cedar flavors that are archetypal Lafite. Finishes with the hint of astringency that I find in a lot of 2010 Bordeaux. This is an extremely impressive Lafite but it needs at least a decade of cellaring. 96 (+?) points

Wine Spectator

97 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2013

Rather tight, with an alluring whiff of cocoa that lures you in before disappearing into the core of steeped plum, roasted fig and blackberry coulis notes. Sandalwood, black tea and loam elements fill in on the long and expansive finish. This seems to be lying in wait for what could be a very long time in the cellar before unfurling fully. Best from 2018 through 2045. –JM

Wine Advocate

98 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe3/1/2013

The 2010 Lafite Rothschild, a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot (a 3% difference from the barrel sample shown two years ago), achieved relatively high alcohol of 13.32%, according to administrator Charles Chevalier. The wine is very impressive, not as fleshy, flamboyant and massive as the 2009, but nevertheless, a big, rich, full-throttle Lafite-Rothschild meant to age a half century or more. Deep purple, with notes of white chocolate, mocha, cedar and charcoal as well as hints of vanillin and creme de cassis, the wine is full-bodied yet has that ethereal lightness that makes it a Lafite. Rich, with good acidity, precision and freshness, this is a slightly zestier version of the 2009 as well as more restrained and structured than that particular vintage. It will need at least 10-12 years of cellaring and keep for 50+ years.

Wine Advocate

99 / 100

byNeal Martinthe2/18/2013

The Lafite-Rothschild 2010 is a blend of 87.2% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot. It has a very sophisticated bouquet that demands a little more encouragement compared to the Mouton-Rothschild tasted earlier on this day. But it is worth the effort as it reveals wonderful graphite infused black fruit that boast bewitching focus and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy, firm tannins that encase some fabulous, exuberant Cabernet Sauvignon: blackberry, a touch of fresh date, Christmas cake and kirsch. It is extremely well focused, less flamboyant than the 2009, but utterly harmonious and “complete”. This is a future legend that will vie with the 2009 Lafite. Spellbinding! Tasted November 2012 (99+)

Jamessuckling.com

99 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/3/2013

This is shy and not giving its all at the moment. Yet it is full and intense with a tightly intertwined tannic and fruit structure. Ethereal blackberry, currant, cedar, and nutty flavors. Dried flowers too. Cedar jewel box smell comes out with time. Great finish. So, so long and harmonious. Try in 2018

La Revue du Vin de France

20 / 20

the5/31/2011

Au flamboyant 2009 succède un 2010 au raffinement suprême, d'une droiture et d'une précision de bouche extrêmes. Campé sur des cabernet-sauvignon (87%) d'une race exceptionnelle, le vin est longiline, très persistant et absoluement "Lafite". Immense finale à l'équilibre souverrain.

Wein Wisser

20 / 20

the5/31/2011

87,2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12,8% Merlot. Extrem dunkles Purpur mit lila und violetten Reflexen. Dramatisches Cabernet-Bouquet, nicht heiss, nicht warm, sondern floral, frisch und direkt, just à point, Heidelbeerenoten und Lakritze, darunter schwarze Edelhölzer und Tabak. Perfekter Gaumen, schon mit erstem Schmelz über den angerundeten, feinen Gerbstoffen, parfümiert, eine fast schon delikate Adstringenz, intesiver, royaler Nachklang - ein egendärer Lafite! 2025-2055

Wine Advocate

98-100 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe5/31/2011

2010 Lafite Rothschild: This exceptionally rich, thick Lafite came in with the highest level of natural alcohol (13.5%) ever achieved at Lafite Rothschild. To put that in its proper context, the 2009 and 2005 were 13.3% and in the hottest Bordeaux summer ever recorded in over 200 years, the 2003 achieved 12.8%. A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot, all harvested between October 9 and 14, the 2010 exhibits an extraordinarily dense color, an unctuous texture and sweet black currant fruit intermixed with graphite, charcoal and truffle notes. A director Charles Chevalier told me, between July and the October harvest, Bordeaux had its driest weather since 1949, but it never got excessively hot. Hence the tiny berries, freshness and extraordinary precision of Lafite Rothschild. This superb effort will undoubtedly shut down slightly once it is bottled despite a pH of 3.8. It needs no building up because much of Lafite Rothschild has now become an obsession with the wealthy Chinese and most of it will undoubtedly be consumed before it ever hits its prime. Ideally, it should be cellared for 10-15 years and drunk over the following 50+ years. Drink 2021-2071

Asian Palate

98-100 / 100

byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe5/24/2011

Deep ruby in colour, the Lafite has wonderful aromatics, with a gorgeous perfume of violets, cedar, cassis and blackberries. With its velvety tannins and layered, delicate flavours, there is a succulent juicy character to its fruit profile, accented with hints of violet. It is a gorgeous wine that is filled with delicate layers of flavours and at the same time is not heavy or dense. This is clearly a very successful vintage for Lafite in both style and intensity, producing a wine that will outlive the outstanding 2009.

Le Point

19,5 / 20

byJacques Dupontthe5/12/2011

Nez un peu marqué par le bois, bouche tendue, vive, très fruitée, vin long, tendu, vif, très allongé, frais, élégant, délicat. D'une grande élégance. 40% de la récolte dans le grand vin. O=2020 G=30 ans

Decanter Magazine

20 / 20

bySteven Spurrierthe4/30/2011

Fabulous nose of wild violets, wonderful lissom texture backed by aristocratic firmness, a totally captivating wine for the long term. Drink 2020-50. (20 points)

Jamessuckling.com

100 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/30/2011

Believe the hype. Lafite is perfect in 2010. The nose is amazing with sweet tobacco, dark chocolate and currants. It is amazing. It’s like gazing into the blue sky in wonder after tasting this young wine. Full and powerful with amazing minerals, currants and bitter chocolate. It starts off slowly and then finishes with a bang. This is really layered and wonderful. It goes on and on. Stunning.

TAST

19 / 20

by Bettane & Desseauvethe4/30/2011

Grand volume de bouche propre au millésime, saveur et tannin raffinés, une merveille même si les superlatifs s’appliquent moins à sa « normalité » que pour d’autres crus. Latour m’a semblé un peu plus émouvant à sa naissance. Carruades, très fin mais trop impersonnel, déçoit.

The Wine Cellar Insider

97-99 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/25/2011

Lafite Rothschild – Produced from a blend of 87.2% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12.8% Merlot, (which is close to what the estate used in 2005,) the wine opened with cedar, earth, minerality, cassis and forest floor aromatics. In the mouth, the wine is suave, polished and fresh, with layers of pure blackberry and spicy cassis. This is pure refined elegance. While not the most powerful First Growth, it’s the most regal in bearing. According to the Director, Charles Chevalier, part of the reason for the success in 2010 was due to less pumping over than usual. Chevalier added, with the high 13.5% alcohol level, his team spent more time watching over each individual vat during fermentation. 97-99 Pts

Jancis Robinson

19 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/20/2011

87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot. Now, will this be the only time I ever get to see this wine, before it all migrates east? Very intense dark blackish crimson. Lovely Lafite scent – recognisable member of the family with a hint of oyster shells. But some extra breadth, even fat, this year. Hugely ambitious. Dense and quite dry on the end. But with Lafite breed and race. Somehow manages to have real roundness, covering the notable acidity and doubtless tannins which are very difficult to discern. Already a marvel and a pleasure to taste. Lovely, lovely balance. Drink 2025-2050

Wine Enthusiast

97-99 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/5/2011

A wine of enormous structure, with robust tannins as well as dark berry fruit. It is so powerful, so concentrated and offers great finesse brings together all the elements.-R.V.

Wine Spectator

96-99 / 100

byJames Molesworththe3/31/2011

This is all guile and elegance now, with sleek, perfumy black tea, currant and crushed fig fruit, laced with subtle smoke, incense and tar. Just as you think it starts to fade, the acidity kicks in on the finish and brings everything back for an encore. Tasted non-blind. —J.M.