Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2006

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted blind at Southwold ’06 Bordeaux tasting. The Lafite-Rothschild ’06 is blessed with a stunning nose with crystalline definition, pure Cabernet, very Margaux-like. Pure blackberry, cedar and cassis. The palate is medium-bodied, very fine tannins, wonderful balance and finesse, smooth and cohesive, pure and silky towards the caressing finish with beguiling persistency. Taut, clinical and certainly worthy of a First Growth. It will be fascinating to follow its evolution. Tasted January 2010.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Lafite’s Merlot harvest occurred between September 15-22, and the Cabernet Sauvignon from September 27 until the end of the first week of October. Only 42% of the production made it into the grand vin (a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot). The 2006 is a tannic, restrained effort that brings to mind the 1988. A deep ruby/purple color is followed by sweet aromas of graphite, creme de cassis, spice, and subtle wood. Medium-bodied and richly fruity with decent acidity and a long finish, it will require 8-10 years of cellaring, and should keep for 4-5 decades.

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the chateau. A deep, almost opaque garnet core. The nose is extremely backward and stubbornly refuses to reveal its personality until five minutes of swirling. Then some ripe, pure blackberry and a touch of graphite and liquorish emerges. The palate is impenetrable at first, a mass of ripe Cabernet Sauvignon barring entry, but you can discern a bewitching symmetry and delineation. Not a flamboyant Lafite, one that I think will take 3 or 4-years to blossom. But it will. Tasted April 2007.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at Hermitage Wines’ seminar in Hong Kong. The 2006 Lafite seems to have changed little from last year. That Cabernet Sauvignon continues to dominate the nose, less Margaux-like than before with lifted graphite and sous-bois aromas. The palate is in recluse at the moment, the fruit very tightly wound, but certainly beautifully balanced with a precise, slightly austere, masculine finish. This represents a very “sober” Lafite-Rothschild for drinking in another 10 to 15-years. Tasted November 2011.

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

One of the fabulous surprises, although I had suggested last year that it could jump in quality, of my tastings, the 2006 Lafite Rothschild is a great, great wine made from a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. When I tasted it from barrel, it reminded me of their successful 1988, but it is dramatically superior to that vintage. Frankly, it may turn out to be as good as the 2005, which in all of Bordeaux is a far greater vintage than 2006. Lafite’s severe selection process (42% made it into the grand vin) resulted in a full-bodied wine boasting an extraordinary perfume of charcoal, truffles, lead pencil shavings, and sensationally sweet, ripe black currant and cedar notes. A wine of extraordinary intensity, texture, and depth with silky tannins as well as awesome concentration, this has turned out to be a remarkable Lafite Rothschild that should be drinkable much earlier than the 2005, but age for three decades. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2035+.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London and then blind at Farr Vintners tasting. The 2006 Château Lafite-Rothschild offers impressive fruit intensity on the nose, although it does not have the precision of the 2006 Mouton-Rothschild. Red berry fruits intermingle with rose petals and sous-bois scents - very typical Lafite bouquet where less can be more. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and a keen line of acidity. It is certainly very well balanced with graphite-tinged black fruit, but whereas Mouton-Rothschild possesses that peacock's tail, Lafite remains linear. Nevertheless, the sophistication really comes through here. It is a Lafite-Rothschild that may spring a few surprises down the line, one of those wines that keeps drawing you back. Understated class. Tasted April 2016.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Good full ruby-red. Very ripe aromas of cassis, graphite and cedar chips, lifted by peppery and floral high notes. Densely packed and superconcentrated but light on its feet, with compelling flavors of spicy berries and minerals. The very long, slow-building finish stains the palate with flavor. Very backward but not austere; and unlike some recent vintages of Lafite, which could appear deceptively light in the early going, this showcases its density and ripeness from the outset. I have the impression that most of the less-ripe fruit was declassified into the far lighter Carruades de Lafite (87), which shows a distinctly cool style for the year.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

(a blend of 82% cabernet sauvignon, 26% merlot and 2% cabernet franc) Bright ruby-red. Compellingly pure, scented aromas of blackcurrant, violet, graphite, dark chocolate and licorice. Rich, broad and classically dry, with slightly inky but very savory, perfumed flavors of black fruits and minerals. Classic, cooler-styled claret that saturates the palate with flavor while coming across as virtually weightless. At once sinewy and elegant. Finishes with superb grip and surprising, subtle persistence. This may not have the flesh of a great collectible vintage, but it will be hard to beat this wine for sheer finesse in 2006.