Chateau Lafite Rothschild Tasting Back to 1945!

The Wines of Bordeaux give tone to the stomach, while leaving the mouth fresh and the head clear.  More than one invalid abandoned by the doctors has been seen to drink the good old wine of Bordeaux and return to health.

--Comments by members of the Jury judging Bordeaux wines submitted under the new 1855 classification at the 1855 World's Fair in Paris, as noted in 1855: A History of the Bordeaux Classification

I have been preaching the health benefits of wine for a long time and what better way to get healthy that a vertical selection of Chateau Latife Rothschild.  This is part of our "Once in a lifetime" series of wine tastings. 

Chateau Lafite Rothschild has become the hottest Bordeaux on the market today because of the demand for this product in the Asian market. But this "first" of first growths has been in the limelight for several hundred years now which is one of the reasons that they have a world-wide demand for this classic claret.

We have managed to amass a nice collection of older vintage Chateau Lafite Rothchild over the last few years with the prices going crazy and demand finally slowing down for this wine we have a few bottles in stock that we can drink. There are also 12 different listings for Chateau Lafite Rothschild in our inventory going back to 1967!  Check out the offering after the list of tasting wines. Tonight's event is $995+ tax for reservations call 954-523-9463

Chateau Lafite Rothschild Tasting Back to 1945!
At 1800 East Las Olas
Wednesday, February 10th
7:00pm

Tasting Line-up:

1945 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac

Nearly 30 notes, yet despite the varying occasions and contexts, what is remarkable is the relatively little bottle variation. Just about every note refers to a glorious fragrance which seems to unravel itself after 15-20 minutes in the glass. Latterly, a perfect bottle in 2003: superb bouquet that held for 5 hours; still sweet, spicy, gorgeous sustained flavour. Most recently: another faultless bottle: lovely soft colour; classic bouquet, sweet, touch of iron, fragrant, developed richly; also sweet on the palate, mouthfilling flavour, life-preserving tannin still evident. A lovely wine. Last tasted Nov 2005 ***** M.B.

1964 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac

Deep color, nicely mature bouquet, with ample plum, cherry and spice flavors ... smooth and enjoyable now. -- Lafite Rothschild vertical. (11/1991) Wine Spectator

1971 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac

(60 Points) A disappointment for Lafite, the 1971 has always tasted flat, is quite brown in color, with a stewed, slightly dirty, rusty, nondescript bouquet suggesting a poor elevage (the French term for bringing up the wine). Now close to its demise, this wine is of no value except to those who care only for labels. Last tasted, 11/82.  Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition, Jan 1998

1976 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac

(93 Points) The 1976 Lafite clearly stands far above the crowd in this vintage. A beautiful bouquet of seductive cedarwood, spices, and ripe fruit precedes a very concentrated, darkly colored wine, with great length and texture. Some amber is just beginning to appear at the edge. The 1976 has turned out to be the best Lafite of the '70s. It is gorgeous to drink at present. Anticipated maturity: Now-2005. Last tasted, 9/96. Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition, Jan 1998

1983 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac

(93 Points) Finally, the 1983 Lafite is beginning to shed its tannin. The wine exhibits a deep ruby/garnet color with only a slight lightening at the edge. The intoxicatingly perfumed nose of lead pencil, pain grille, red and black fruits, minerals, and roasted herbs is provocative. In the mouth, this wine displays considerable body for a Lafite, plenty of power, and a fleshy, rich, sweet mid-palate. Long, elegant, plump, and surprisingly fleshy, this outstanding example of Lafite seems largely forgotten given the number of high quality vintages during the golden decade of the eighties. Anticipated maturity: Now-2030. Last tasted 3/97 Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition, Jan 1998

1986 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac

(100 Points) The 1986 possesses outstanding richness, a deep color, medium body, a graceful, harmonious texture, and superb length. The penetrating fragrance of cedar, chestnuts, minerals, and rich fruit is a hallmark of this wine. Powerful, dense, rich, and tannic, as well as medium to full-bodied, with awesome extraction of fruit, this Lafite has immense potential. Patience is required. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2030. Last tasted 11/94 Bordeaux Book, 3rd Edition, Jan 1998

1995 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac

(95 Points) The 1995 Lafite-Rothschild (only one-third of the harvest made it into the final blend) is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc. The wine was showing spectacularly well when I tasted it in November, 1997. It exhibits a dark ruby purple color, and a sweet, powdered mineral, smoky, weedy cassis-scented nose. Beautiful sweetness of fruit is present in this medium-bodied, tightly-knit, but gloriously pure, well-delineated Lafite. The 1995 is not as powerful or as massive as the 1996, but it is beautifully made with outstanding credentials, in addition to remarkable promise. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2028.  Wine Advocate #115, Feb 1998

1998 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac Magnum
Price: $3750.00    Sale Price: $3187.00
Quantity in Stock: 2

(98 Points) A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot, this wine represents only 34% of Lafite's total harvest. In a less than perfect Medoc vintage, it has been spectacular since birth, putting on more weight and flesh over the last year. This opaque purple-colored 1998 is close to perfection. The spectacular nose of lead pencil, smoky, mineral, and black currant fruit soars majestically from the glass. The wine is elegant yet profoundly rich, revealing the essence of Lafite's character. The tannin is sweet, and the wine is spectacularly layered yet never heavy. The finish is sweet, super-rich, yet impeccably balanced and long (50+ seconds). Anticipated maturity: 2007-2035.  Wine Advocate #134, Apr 2001

2000 Chateau Lafite Rothschild
Price: $3000.00    Sale Price: $2300.00

(100 Points) Well, well, well - Lafite Rothschild does it again. Ever since manager Charles Chevalier was transferred from his beloved Sauternes property of Rieussec (also owned by the Rothschilds) to Lafite in 1994, there has been a succession of profound wines to emerge from this noble estate. The 2000 Lafite Rothschild, a blend of 93.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6.7% Merlot (only 36% of the crop made the grade) has an opaque ruby/purple color, followed by an extraordinary aromatic expression of liquid minerals/stones interwoven with the tell-tale graphite notes, mulberry, black currants, caramel, and tobacco. In the mouth, it is remarkably light on its feet, but somehow seems to pack intense flavors into layer upon layer of fruit and richness that cascade over the palate. A compelling wine, with extraordinary precision, great intensity, and a seamlessness in spite of what are obviously elevated levels of tannin, this wine was provocatively open and beautiful when tasted in January and February, but I am sure it will soon close down. The finish lasted a whopping 72 seconds! This is utterly fascinating stuff. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2050. Wine Advocate #146, Apr 2003

2000 Carruades De Chateau Lafite Rothschild

Carruades is the second label wine produced by Chateau Lafite-Rothschild. After fermentation and maceration, the wines are tasted, selected and put together according to their different qualities. This step is very important because this is where we make the difference between the great "Lafite" and the second wine "Carruades de Lafite". The wines are drained off into oak barrels. We use 100% new barrels for the ageing of Lafite. The year after, these same barrels will be used for the Carruades.
Critical Acclaim

(93 Points) "Wonderfully ripe and decadent, with tobacco, meat and ripe berry aromas, with hints of currants. Full-bodied, and very velvety, with unctuous fruit flavors. Long and exotic aftertaste. Terrific wine. Best after 2010."  The Wine Advocate

2001 Chateau Lafite Rothschild

(94 Points) The 2001 Lafite Rothschild’s deep, saturated plum/purple color is accompanied by lead pencil liqueur-like notes intermixed with sweet red and black currants, plums, and cedar. This blend of 86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13.5% Merlot is a classic example of Lafite. Extremely elegant, medium-bodied, with intense concentration, richness, and sweet tannin, it appears to be on a rapid evolutionary track, at least in comparison to recent Lafite vintages that have been far more backward and powerful. The classy 2001 should be at its finest between 2007-2020.  Wine Advocate #153, Jun 2004

Menu

Hackleback Caviar phylo tarts

Beef tartar capers, Bermuda onions on Parmesan Crisp

Duck Confit spring Roll with sweet and spicy plum dipping sauce

Grilled Beefsteak Tomato with Burrata served with sundried tomato Vinaigrette

Mole Braised Short rib with avocado fries served with roasted garlic