Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2008

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. Pick of the First Growth’s perchance? The 2008 has a beautiful classic Pauillac nose with pure blackberry, graphite and sous-bois aromas that demonstrates supreme great intensity and delineation. The palate is very structured, complex with very fine and rigid tannins. There is a beguiling sense of symmetry and focus here with great persistency on the finish (which has an almost Saint Julien-like personality). Very sophisticated. Tasted January 2012.

robert_parker98

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

A candidate for the -wine of the vintage,- the 2008 should have been purchased before it began to soar in value because of the significance of the number 8 in the Chinese culture (denoting good luck). Representing 40% of the production, this blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc offers aromas of high quality unsmoked cigar tobacco, lead pencil shavings, creme de cassis, earth, cedar and asphalt. Full, rich and stunningly concentrated, I doubt it is inferior to the 2010, just more classic as well as slightly more forward and a degree weaker in alcoholic potency (12.5% versus 13.5%). The 2008 should be relatively drinkable in 6-10 years as it is already showing remarkable complexity and breed, and will last for 30-35 years...at the minimum.

robert_parker100

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 2008 Lafite Rothschild is one of the most profound young wines I have ever tasted. From a taster’s perspective, it is reminiscent of a blend of the 1996 and 2003, but when you compare those vintages analytically, that makes no sense whatsoever. Representing only 40% of the production, this blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc boasts an opaque ruby/purple color (one of the darkest Lafites I have seen in 30 years) as well as an extraordinary, blockbuster aromatic profile of lead pencil shavings, forest floor, black fruits, licorice, and a hint of unsmoked, high-class cigar tobacco. In the mouth, a massive richness is accompanied by a freshness, delineation, nuance, delicacy, and mind-boggling density. Even after three decades of tasting, I am still astonished when tasting such a prodigious wine as this. Full, inky, and rich with creme de cassis and spice box characteristics as well as a length that I stopped measuring after a minute, the wine reveals a sweetness to the tannin and an opulence to the fruit that suggests a hot, sunny vintage, but again, that was not the case. There wasn’t a great deal of heat, but there was more sunshine than the negative press reported at the beginning of September. This is a great, great wine. The harvest at Lafite took place between October 1-7 for the Merlot grapes, the Cabernet Franc was picked in mid-October, and the Cabernet Sauvignon between October 7-14 - an unbelievably late harvest for this estate. This wine should evolve for 30-40 years and last 50 or more. As I have indicated before, Lafite’s second wine is now one of Bordeaux’s finest second wines, and is made very much in the Lafite style. Interestingly, Lafite Rothschild’s manager, Charles Chevalier, told me there was not much flavor in the grapes in mid-September, but a month later, after four weeks of extraordinary weather, they believed something profound may have happened given the flavor development. Again, the historically long period between flowering and harvest, and very low yields are part of the secret to the great success of wines such as this.

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the chateau, the Lafite-Rothschild -08 has a succinct nose, one that takes gentle coaxing from the glass. It offers a mixture of red and black fruits on the nose, touches of graphite, sous-bois and crushed pebbles. Very fine delineation and lift, but linear, does not really -billow- from the glass at the moment. The palate is full-bodied with very fine, succulent tannins; notes of crisp blackberry, cassis and a hint of blueberry, a little fig developing in the glass. The Lafite -08 has an insistent grip and has beautifully interwoven seam of vanillary new oak. Very long in the mouth, the persistency is sensational: a stupendous effort from Mon. Chevalier and his team. Drink 2014-2040. Tasted October 2010.

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

En primeur barrel sample. A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, this has a very deep, almost opaque purple colour. The bouquet is quite similar to the Duhart: a little sulky and timid at this stage, although it always takes longer to emerge than other Pauillacs. Blackberry leaf, a touch of tobacco and graphite, almost conservative at the moment. After a couple of minutes, those fruits begin to emerge with blackberry, a touch of scorched leather, Xmas cake and all spice. I think there is a lot of complexity here, but it is buried deep within the wine. The palate is very well structured, firm tannins, good acidity and a wonderful crescendo. It really lacquers the palate – this is much more assertive than the coquettish Chateau Margaux tasted directly before. Very fresh on the finish, subtle vanillary oak, unfurling with the passing minutes. Anyone not allowing this wine ten minutes to open will have missed the point. Outstanding. Tasted April 2009.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata

(a blend of 83% cabernet sauvignon, 13% merlot and 4% cabernet franc) Deep purple-ruby. Dense, rich, absolutely classic Lafite nose redolent of blackcurrant, cedar and graphite. Enters fat, with blackberry, licorice and underbrush flavors framed by strong but harmonious acids and youthful tannins that will need time to resolve. This is presently the most backward and closed of the Medoc first growths in '08, but should prove spectacular in time: insiders know that cooler vintages such as '08 are perfectly suited to Lafite's terroir, a case in point being the '88, an initially austere wine that has come around magnificently.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2008 Lafite Rothschild put in a strange showing at the previous horizontal just a few weeks earlier. This bottle is much better. It has a deep color with little ageing on the rim. On the nose there is ample fruit, blackberry and bilberry with notes of pencil lead and sage, but overall there is just more intensity than the previous bottle. The palate is well balanced with fine grain tannin and good density, a facet occasionally lacking in Lafite-Rothschild. There is just a touch of brown sugar and sage towards the finish that fortunately does not attenuate like the previous bottle. This is much more representative and whilst not the best First Growth of the vintage, it certainly shows more sophistication and class even if it does not match its more stellar showings just after bottling. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 10-Year On tasting.

vinous92

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2008 Lafite-Rothschild, sporting the Chinese 8 character on the bottle, has a very classic, quite austere bouquet with blackberry, cedar and pencil lead, a little more red fruit than I remember from previous bottles. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannin, modest dusty black fruit laced with graphite, although I would be seeking more flesh and body on the finish that tapers too rapidly for me. This Lafite-Rothschild was one of the most impressive wines out of barrel and in the first years but I feel it is now being overtaken by other First Growths. Head winemaker Eric Kohler is making better wines these days. (Tasted at BI Wine & Spirit’s annual 10-Year On tasting.)

vinous93

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Full ruby-red with a purple tinge. Crushed cassis, blackberry, violet, cedar and graphite on the very fresh, complex nose. Juicy, spicy and penetrating, with lovely harmonious acids providing great clarity and cut to the black fruit and graphite flavors. Still youthfully closed and very mineral. Finishes pure and extremely long, with very fine tannins. This may yet turn out to be the wine of the vintage, but it will require patience.