Lafite Rothschild - Pauillac 2005

Vinous

97

byAntonio Gallonithe4/15/2021

The 2005 Lafite-Rothschild is a gorgeous wine, but it is also very young. Readers lucky enough to own it will find a very classic, gracious Lafite-Rothschild that still needs a few years to be at its best. Bright red-toned fruit, crushed rocks, mint and licorice open first, followed by darker aromas and flavors that develop as the wine gains volume with air. Tasted next to its peers, Lafite is so typical of itself and less marked by the year. And that is one of the signs of a truly great terroir. Lafite-Rothschild is not as showy as many other wines in this vintage, but it is so true to its own identity, and that is the highest compliment I can pay it. The 2005 is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, done in 100% new oak, which is not at all noticeable. At the time, the Cabernet percentage was quite high, but that has now become the norm. Tasted two times.

Wine Advocate

96

byNeal Martinthe7/29/2016

Having tasted the 2005 Château Lafite-Rothschild several times both blind and non-blind, it comes across as a First Growth politely requesting more time to "settle". Here, from an ex-château bottle tasted in Bordeaux, it delivers that graphite, pencil-box bouquet that unfurls gradually in the glass, biding its time, graceful but not intense. Parallel to some of its fellow 2005s, it is developing a little more spice, namely thyme and sage, than I recall. The palate is medium-bodied and beautifully balanced, to wit, a sophisticated Pauillac that priorities elegance and poise over intensity of fruit—in keeping with Lafite Rothschild's style. You come away with the sense that it will take its time and decline, giving away a great deal in its primacy, even if it is still more approachable than the 2005 Latour for example. Therefore, I would be inclined to set this aside for several more years. Tasted November 2014.

Wine Advocate

95

byRobert Parkerthe6/30/2015

Beautiful, elegant red, blue and black fruits (89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot) as well as some graphite and spice notes jump from the glass of the 2005 Lafite Rothschild. Medium-bodied, with superb purity and texture, this is not a blockbuster by any means, but a meticulously made, lovely-textured Pauillac. Long and pure, this wine should drink well for 25-30 years. There is no danger in pulling the cork on it today.

Wine Advocate

98

byNeal Martinthe2/28/2015

The Château Lafite-Rothschild 2005 has that telltale pencil-shaving bouquet that is wonderfully defined with red berry fruit moving gracefully towards secondary notes of mint, Seville orange marmalade and leather. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, utterly graceful in the mouth, classic in style with a gradual build towards the pencil-lead finish that contains enormous persistence. This is not a powerful Lafite-Rothschild – there is no need. Graceful and elegant, this is an intellectual, sophisticated Pauillac that will age for an extraordinarily long time. If you can splash the cash, why not?

Jancis Robinson

19

byJancis Robinsonthe2/9/2015

The sticker on the bottle suggests this came from Asia. Really very haunting nose: complex already, high toned, rich fruit in the middle and a dry finish. Everything that top red bordeaux should be in fact. A lightly marine-iodine thread. Racy and not at all heavy but I bet it will last forever. There are tannins but they are very fine. 13% Drink 2018-2050

Wine Advocate

96

byNeal Martinthe6/15/2009

Tasted blind and tasted twice in the same month, this is a perplexing Lafite that as yet, has not lived up to its show stopping performance in barrel. There is more Cabernet, more graphite on the nose here with wonderful definition – just pure, unadulterated blackberry and cedar. Conservative, tightly coiled and beckoning considerable cellaring. Very smooth on the entry, no hard edges here, polished new oak, very fine tannins, great focus but I would like a little more depth on the finish. Broody, sultry and compelling. Drink 2020-2040+ Tasted January 2009. 96+

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

97

byStephen Tanzerthe6/30/2008

Bright medium ruby. Knockout nose combines black- and redcurrant, minerals, graphite, licorice and lavender. Wonderfully suave and seamless, but with great purity and precision of flavor and terrific inner-palate perfume and lift. This dances over every square millimeter of the palate. Almost painfully young today, with an impression of fresh acidity serving to intensify the wine's flavors. About as austere a wine as I tasted from this vintage in April and yet it's not hard. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and a whiplash of minerally perfume. I'd forget about this one for about 15 years.

Wine Advocate

96

byRobert Parkerthe5/7/2008

While the 2005 is another brilliantly classic Lafite Rothschild, for my taste, it comes in slightly behind their extraordinarily opulent 2003 as well as the dramatically powerful 2000. A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot, the 2005 boasts a dark ruby/purple color in addition to that exceptional Lafite perfume of graphite, spring flowers, crushed rocks, and sweet black cherry and black currant fruit that exudes class and nobility. The wine is medium-bodied with extremely high levels of tannin in addition to sensational purity, length, and overall harmony. However, it is exceptionally backward, and even more tannic than either the 1995 or 1996. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2050+

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Couleur	Rouge
Cépages	Cabernet Sauvignon 89 % Merlot 11 %
Appellation	Pauillac
Millesime	2005
Contenance	Bouteille (75 cl)

Information:	Details:
Couleur	Rouge
Cépages	Cabernet Sauvignon 89 % Merlot 11 %
Appellation	Pauillac
Millesime	2005
Contenance	Bouteille (75 cl)

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Lafite Rothschild - Pauillac 2005

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