Vinous 92 byNeal Martinthe4/2/2024 The 2014 Lafite-Rothschild has a typically refined nose at first, though I notice that it gains more richness after five minutes and replicates the menthol scents that I noticed in the previous bottle four years ago. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded tannins, fleshy and ripe. White pepper and fennel infuse the red fruit. Perhaps it doesn't quite "kick on" towards the finish like Mouton, though it does feel reassuringly persistent. Maybe it has something up its sleeve? A second bottle tasted blind at Southwold was a bit "aloof". Tasted at Bordeaux Index's 10-Year-On tasting.
Vinous 95 byNeal Martinthe3/28/2018 The 2014 Lafite-Rothschild has an incredibly fruit-driven bouquet with layers of black cherries, cassis, raspberry preserve and menthol aromas all beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet core of intense red berry fruit laced with white pepper, sage and a hint of fennel. The balance here is exquisite and the manner in which it fans out on the final third is just glorious. You could actually broach this now, it is so drinkable, but it has the substance to suggest long-term ageing. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Wine Advocate 95 byNeal Martinthe3/31/2017 The 2014 Lafite-Rothschild, tasted with head winemaker Eric Kohler, has retained that very opulent and outgoing bouquet that dare I say actually reminded me of Mouton-Rothschild. There are layers of blackberry and boysenberry fruit, still that hint of juniper berry, certainly a more extrovert Lafite-Rothschild compared to recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, very focused and quite linear, again with plenty of black fruit laced with cedar and tobacco. It begins to clam up towards the saline finish, suggesting that it will need several years in bottle, but I still have high expectations for this First Growth once afforded several years in bottle.
Jamessuckling.com 98 byJames Sucklingthe2/16/2017 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.
Vinous 94 byAntonio Gallonithe2/6/2017 The 2014 Lafite-Rothschild is a beautiful, vivid wine. It is also going to need a number of years to come together. All the classic Lafite signatures are present in the glass. Dark red and bluish-hued fruits, grilled herbs, crème de cassis and leather are some of the many notes that gradually open up. The wine is finessed and nuanced to the core. I imagine it will drink well with minimal cellaring, although it clearly also has the potential to grow in bottle. The blend is 87 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 10 % Merlot and 3 % Cabernet Franc. In 2014, the Grand Vin accounts for 38 % of production. 94+
Wine Spectator 95 byJames Molesworththe1/24/2017 Reserved for now, but the core of cassis, bitter plum and raspberry coulis flavors is pure and energetic, while extra black tea, iron and singed alder notes fill in steadily through the finish. This has a very focused, streamlined feel overall, yet there’s serious depth for the cellar. Best from 2020 through 2035. 16,000 cases made.—J.M.
Le Point 17,5 byJacques Dupontthe5/21/2015 Fruits noirs, épices, poivre, bouche savoureuse, gras, plein, riche onctueux, tanins soyeux, plein, dense, très juteux, long.
Vinous 92-95 byAntonio Gallonithe5/11/2015 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.
The Wine Cellar Insider 94-95 byJeff Levethe5/5/2015 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. 94-95 Pts
Wine Advocate 94-96 byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015 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.
Asian Palate 93-95 byJeannie Cho Lee MWthe4/20/2015 Lafite this year is quite closed but you can taste the intensity and concentration on the palate. Flavors are reserved and lean more toward savory, refreshing, cooler flavors than riper fruity ones. The wine is brooding with good concentration. A wine to watch and follow as it opens up - this wine will need at least 6 to 8 years before it is ready to be approached.
Jancis Robinson 17,5 byJancis Robinsonthe4/17/2015 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. Drink 2025-2040
Decanter.com 18,75 bySteven Spurrierthe4/17/2015 My Left Bank wine of the vintage. Superb cassis fruit from 89.9% Cabernet Sauvignon yet almost understated for Latour. Wonderful ripe texture and chalky tannins, the Latour soil showing more than the 'Latour style' of the past. Pure Cabernet over pure gravel, beautifully expressed. Drink: 2022-2050 (95+)
Jamessuckling.com 97-98 byJames Sucklingthe4/10/2015 I love the sexy, perfumed and feminine style to this young Lafite with rose petals, rose stems and currants. Full body, super fine tannins and a wonderful finish. Lasts for a very, very long time.
René Gabriel 18 byRené Gabrielthe4/1/2015 87 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 10 % Merlot, 3 % Cabernet Franc. Extrem dunkles Purpur mit lila und violetten Reflexen. Dichtes Bouquet, kompakt, viel dunkle Aromen in sich bergend. Er hat aber (zu) wenig Primärfrucht und man muss sich die Aromen aus dem Untergrund fast ausdenken, der Cabernet Sauvignon hat eine ziemlich florale Ausstrahlung. Wo ist da die übliche Lafite-Süsse im Bouquet geblieben? Im Gaumen bilden die Tannine einen Kompromiss! Einerseits etwas die Finessen von Lafite zeigend, andererseits die doch sehr klassische Tanninstruktur vom Jahrgang aufweisend. Im Finale kommt dann die schwarzbeerige Aromatik zum Tragen. Mich erinnert er stark an seinen eigenen 2001er. Den hatte ich zu Beginn ziemlich unterbewertet. Und wenn dem so ist, dann kann er in den nächsten 15 Jahren noch einen Punkt zulegen. Kein Lafite für Ungeduldige. Und auch nicht (mehr) für Spekulanten. This show is definitely over! 18/20 2028 – 2060
Wine Enthusiast 98 byRoger Vossthe4/1/2015 97–99. Barrel Sample. 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. — R.V. (4/1/2015)
Wine Spectator 94-97 byJames Molesworththe3/30/2015 Very backward, with loads of cedar, espresso and juniper out front, while the core of currant and blackberry fruit stays in reserve. Shows ample grip on the finish, but this is fine-grained and exhibits superb cut.