Château Lafite Rothschild 2005

Pauillac

First growth of Médoc

France - - Red wine

150 cl - 13% vol.

Price/btl: €2,642.00 inc. VAT

This wine is currently in stock in our cellar

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Press review

Château - Commentaire # web

2005 was the fourth consecutive year to have a deficit in rainfall, but the drought began very early, at the end of May, which allowed the vine to adapt itself by reducing its leaves. The very hot weather in June and July gave way to progressively cooler weather in August and the cool nights allowed good acidity levels to be maintained, resulting in slow steady ripening. A year of atypical weather but in the end ideal for the production of healthy, very ripe grapes with wonderful freshness. Deep colour. An intense, delicate, subtle and complex nose. Very neat and regular on the palate upon attack leading to volume and a nicely round structure. Immensely powerful, great length, density and elegance.

Decanter # web (4/11/2006) : 20/20 Maturity: 2015-2050

Black velvety red, colour sticking to the glass, superb fragrance and intensity, concentrated ripeness, immense depth but overall an impression of fragrance and elegance, a perfect wine. Drink 2015-50.

Jean-Marc Quarin # web : 19,25-20

Tasted twice and very early during the barrel ageing, this wine shone by the complexity of its nose. It is fine, floral, fruity and finely creamy. The entry on the palate is magical. Then it expands, picks up some thickness while it never displays any grainy tannins. The second part of the palate is profound and is shining of the fruit. Great fine wine. Probably a future 20 // 100.

Parker # 176 (4/1/2008) : 96 Maturity: 2020-2050

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.

Revue du Vin de France (6/1/2006) : 5/5

Les arômes sont très nobles, l'attaque en bouche dense et souple. Le beau milieu de bouche se montre très élégant. Le vin est plus riche que d'habitude. Il est supérieur aux 2004 et 2003. Et s'il n'a pas le grand classicisme de 1996 et 1998, il est supérieur à 1990.

The Wine Doctor # web (11/1/2009) : 19+/20

The nose here is restrained compared with Margaux and Haut-Brion, tasted alongside, although it shows plenty of wonderfully typical Pauillac fruit, all gritty and wood-grained. There are notes of gentle cherry and perhaps even brambly, blackcurrant fruits wrapped up in elements of cedar and pencil shavings, as well as violets, rose petals and tar. This purity comes through on the palate which is a little lighter and less prodigious than some of the other first growths, although it has no lack of elegance or potential. There is almost a crunchy lift to it, and a superbly defined, elegant style. Wonderful wine, one that focuses on definition and elegance rather than power.

Vinum Maturity: 2013-2030

Weinwisser # 04/2006 : 20/20 Maturity: 2015-2050

Wine Spectator # web (3/29/2006) : 95-100

Fabulous aromas of currant, tobacco, mineral and cedar with licorice undertones. Muscular wine with firm yet velvety tannins. Full-bodied, with lots of fruit yet reserved and long. Wonderful balance yet plenty of strength. Extremely well-toned and long. 2000 again?

The property in brief

1st classified growth in 1855. The quality of Château Lafite Rothschild needs no introduction. As early as 1815, Abraham Lawton had already designated it as leader: "I ranked it as being the most elegant and delicate, with the finest body of the three (leading wines)" he qualified in 1855. As to Château Lafite's attributes found in all vintages, it was an enlightened amateur that summed it up best by saying "...whatever the case, all the Château Lafite wines have an almond and violet aroma!" In the classification of 1855, Lafite was classified as the first among the first. The domain was bought by Baron James de Rotschild, the richest man in France, in 1868. His cousin Nathaniel had bought Mouton in 1853. The inheritors of Baron James de Rothschild are still owners of Lafite.