Wine Advisor
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1959
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Description
Within the five rarefied first growths, Lafite is perhaps the wine with the best reputation for quality and longevity, commanding correspondingly high prices. It is considered by some to be the best wine to come out of Bordeaux. In 1815, Guillaume Lawton said of Château Lafite, “I consider it to be the the most elegant and delicate, with the finest substance of the three (Premier Crus). The location of its vines is one of the finest in the Médoc”. In 1855 the Château was ranked as a Premier Grand Cru in the famous classification that was prepared for the Universal Exhibition of that year. Lafite is also known as the ‘King’s wine’, after being introduced to the Court at Versailles by Maréchal Richelieu.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Served single blind in Pauillac, compared to its peers, the Lafite-Rothschild -59 is more limpid and darker in hue. The nose is quintessential Pauillac: pencil shavings, cigar box and smoke interwoven with sultry, austere black fruits. The palate is very well balanced with Lafite's innate sense of symmetry and focus. Very fine acidity and a sense of innate completeness. Wonderful clarity with a subtle sorbet-like finish infused with subtle hints of Seville orange. This Lafite '59 is a princess to Mouton's kingliness. Tasted December 2009.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Very clear, very deep garnet. A slightly dusty nose, cedar, a bouquet that reminds me of a mahogany bureau. Very tight when poured in the glass. Lovely balance on the medium-bodied palate. Lovely acidity, sumptuous texture and beguiling focus. Black tea, leather and mocha toward the finish. Does not evolve much in the glass, much to my chagrin. So restrained and elegant but I would certainly drink it now. Not quite as "wowed" by this as other proclaiming it to be perfect. But close. Tasted December 2005.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Tasted 9 Times With Consistent Notes Except For One Corked Magnum The 1959 is unquestionably the greatest Lafite-Rothschild that has approached full maturity. It remains to be seen whether vintages such as 1982, 1986, and 1990 will reach a similar height. The super-aromatic bouquet of flowers, black truffles, cedar, lead pencil, and red fruits is followed by one of the most powerful and concentrated Lafites I have tasted. Medium to full-bodied, velvety-textured, rich, and pure, it is a testament to what this great estate can achieve when it hits the mark. This youthful wine will last for another 30 or more years.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at “Fook Lam Moon” in Hong Kong. One of the great wines of the vintage, this bottle is very similar to the one poured in Bordeaux a couple of years ago. A quintessential Pauillac nose with that pencil box bouquet that soars from the glass with cedar and a touch of sandalwood. Great vivacity here. The palate is very focused with amazing symmetry with touches of mint and even liquorice on the almost sorbet-fresh finish. Very compact...it takes about 30 minutes for this wine to really unfurl. Tasted November 2011.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
(Magnum) This is unquestionably the greatest Lafite-Rothschild that has approached full maturity. It remains to be seen whether vintages such as 1982, 1986, and 1990 will reach a similar height. The super-aromatic bouquet of flowers, black truffles, cedar, lead pencil, and red fruits is followed by one of the most powerful and concentrated Lafites I have tasted. Medium to full-bodied, velvety-textured, rich, and pure, it is a testament to what this great estate can achieve when it hits the mark. This youthful wine will last for another 30 or more years.
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