Press review

Decanter (4/1/2008) : 18,5 Maturity: 2015-2030

Black-red colour, big, almost velvety, violets on the nose, expressive while also being quite restrained, firm, even slightly old-fashioned compared to the explosion of fruit in recent years, a wine of immense purity and great length and breed.

Domaine # web

Plentiful rain during the winter replenished the groundwater levels and the end of the cold damp winter was marked by very early budburst. The temperatures in March and April were quite high, which was good for growth. From then until August the weather was grey and mild, without extremes. Luckily the weather in September was good and settled which allowed the grapes to ripen well in calm conditions. Complete ripening for the sugar, tannins and skins was only achieved 125 days after flowering a vegetative cycle longer than usual in a year with 13 lunar cycles.Very ripe red fruit on the nose. Closed at first, then full and open. Elegant and charming, still somewhat discreet, good length. Integrated oak.

Jean-Marc Quarin (4/1/2008) : 16,75- 17 (92)

Intense dark red color. Ripe fruity, fresh and especially fine nose. Delicate on entry and offering its typical magical touch, the wine is refined, with vibrant aromas and a normal body. Melting on the palate and finishing tasty, long with refined tannins. Very elegant. Alcohol 12,8%. IPT 68 (rather high). A blend of 84 % cabernet sauvignon, 15 % merlot, and 1% petit verdot. The Grand Vin represents a selection of 38 % of the harvest, compared to 40 % in 2006.

Neal Martin's Wine Journal (5/1/2008) : 92-94

A deep, black/purple colour. The nose is very smooth and seductive with potent ripe black fruits and carefully interwoven new oak that should see the aromatics blossom after bottling. Excellent delineation, touches of cherry liqueur, burnt toast and crushed violets developing in the glass. Much more feminine for Lafite at this primordial stage. The palate is medium- to full-bodied, harmonious with great focus and delineation. A seductive quality to this Lafite, a vintage that wants to seduce from birth, an exoticism that one rarely finds at this early stage. It does not quite have the weight and persistency of a great vintage Lafite, but it compensates with crispness and tension. Fine. Tasted April 2008.

Parker # 188 (4/1/2010) : 94 Maturity: -2030

A candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2007 Lafite Rothschild (84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot) reveals classic Lafite aromas of graphite, unsmoked cigar tobacco, black currants, cherries, and a hint of truffles. The complex aromatics are followed by a round, medium to full-bodied wine with silky tannins, an overall subtle smoky component, and a rich, round, generous, plump finish. Already evolved and delicious, it should continue to drink well for two decades.

The Wine Doctor # web (4/1/2008) : 17-18+/20

In this vintage just 38% of the harvest went into the grand vin, and the blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 15% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. A dense and brooding nose, yet sweet and freshly appealing. Very balanced style, very approachable, stylish and structured. Lots of sweet and ripe fruit here, and a harmonious quality. Good grip, good acidity, but a sweetness and silkiness to the texture as well. This is surprisingly integrated and appealing. For the vintage, an impressive wine.

Vinum (4/1/2008) Maturity: 2017-2030

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.