Magnum Château Lafite Rothschild

Wine Advocate

87 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe9/1/1998

I overrated this wine when it was young, and have not been as pleased with its evolution in the bottle. The wine has retained a cool climate high acidity, giving it a more compressed personality than I had envisioned. The color remains a dark ruby/garnet, but the nose has taken on a more vegetal, earthy note to go along with the new oak and sweet red and black currant personality. The wine's crisp acidity keeps its tannic edge aggressive. There is already some amber at the edge of the wine's color. Anticipated maturity: Now-2012. Last tasted 10/97

Wine Advocate

85 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/1/1993

This wine performed less impressively than I would have hoped and not nearly as well as I have rated it in the past. The wine reveals high acidity, a light perfume of fruit and oak, little complexity, some compactness, and an angular finish. High acidity is normal in 1979, but the depth and complexity of previous bottles was not apparent. Perhaps the wine is in an unflattering stage, but it was noticeably less impressive, as well as short, both discouraging signs. Those who own it may want to try a bottle, but be prepared to wait another 3-6 years to see if the wine will fill out and blossom. Last tasted, 6/93.

Wine Spectator

92 / 100

the11/30/1991

Fruity, deep and firm, filled with plum and cherry, backed by youthful, stiff tannins. Needs time for complexity to develop. Try in 1995.--Lafite Rothschild vertical.