Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2009

robert_parker99

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The main reason the 2009 Lafite Rothschild did not receive a perfect score is because the wine has closed down slightly, but it is unquestionably another profound Lafite, their greatest wine since the amazing 2003. Among the most powerful Lafites ever made (it came in at 13.59% alcohol), the final blend was 82.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot. The selection was incredibly severe with only 45% of the crop being utilized. A tight, but potentially gorgeous nose of graphite, black currants, licorice and camphor is followed by a full-bodied wine revealing the classic elegance, purity and delineated style of Lafite. It is phenomenally concentrated with softer tannins than the 2005, the 2003's voluptuous, broad, juicy personality, and low acidity. There are several vintages that I thought were a replay of their colossal 1959, most notably 1982 and 2003, but 2009 is also one to keep an eye on. It is still extremely youthful and seems slightly more backward than I would have guessed based on the barrel tastings, but it needs 10-15 years of bottle age, and should last for 50+.

robert_parker100

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the chateau from a sample taken on 19th March 2009 and the sample left 20-30 minutes before approaching. The Lafite 2009 has a very dark, almost opaque black/purple hue. The nose is very intense with blackberries, griottes, a touch of apricot and an almost sorbet like freshness. Powerful but also, so graceful and elegant, nothing over-ambitious. The palate is full-bodied with silky smooth tannins, seamless texture, pure blackberry, plum, minerals, crushed stones. I have never tasted a Lafite at this stage so elegant and graceful. The puissance is deceptive, only at the finish are there lapping waves of pure, heavenly black cherries, minerals, a touch of cassis, cedar and graphite. Astounding persistency. Tasted March 2010.

robert_parker100

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 2009 Lafite Rothschild is a candidate for “wine of the vintage.” Although the 2003 was powerful (12.9% alcohol), the 2009 came in at 13.4% alcohol. It is a blend of 82.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot. Only 45% of the crop went into the grand vin, which may be the most concentrated Lafite I have ever tasted. There is not a hard edge to be found in this inky/purple-colored wine displaying notes of charcoal, incense, black currants, and licorice. In the mouth, it represents a liqueur of black fruits offered in a remarkably full-bodied, incredibly elegant, lush style. Expansive, savory, staggeringly concentrated, and voluptuous as well as wonderfully precise with a hint of minerality, this sensational wine’s technical numbers are off the charts. Is this a replay of the 1959? Although it will be surprisingly approachable in its youth, this is a 50-100-year wine. (Tasted once.)

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The Lafite-Rothschild 2009 is a dark, limpid purple colour. The nose is very closed and so I jabber with Charles Chevalier for ten minutes before returning and…well, not much more…but one can sense the intensity that bubbling under like a smoking volcano: blackberry, vitamin, graphite and a touch of black olive. The palate is medium-bodied but with bold tannins, perhaps unusually expressing more weight than Latour at this juncture although that could change. It has beguiling intensity and focus with great length and persistency, leading to a masculine, grippy finish that says: bugger off and don’t come back for 10-15 years…or else. Exceptionally fine. Tasted November 2011.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Served blind at the Southwold 2009 tasting. Unfortunately we were afforded just one bottle of the Lafite '09, which is a pity because I (and many others) would have wished to re-taste it. This has a lifted bouquet with blackberry, sous-bois and a touch of dried herbs. Good fruit concentration here, Graves-like, complex with peripheral marmalade aromas emerging with time. The palate is full-bodied with succulent ripe tannins, slightly lower acidity, smooth and harmonious with a luscious, almost texturally honeyed finish. To be honest, I was expecting a little more from the 2009 and I hope that more breeding and terroir expression will seep through with time. Tasted January 2013.

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The deep garnet colored 2009 Lafite Rothschild bursts from the glass with red and black currant preserves, warm plums, mulberries and kirsch scents plus suggestions of sweaty leather, cigar box and menthol. Medium-bodied, elegant and firmly structured, it has wonderful freshness and a long earthy/meaty finish.

vinous99

Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata

(a blend of 82.5% cabernet sauvignon, 17% merlot, and 0.5% petit verdot; 13.8% alcohol; 75 IPT; a 43% selection of the total crop) Deep ruby-red. The deep, intense nose is a bit more forward than usual for Lafite, displaying classic, pure aromas of cassis, cedar and graphite. Enters the mouth beautifully pure and fresh, with laser-like precision to its deceptively light blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar and mineral flavors. The exceptionally refined tannins give this wine an utterly seamless quality on the pure, extremely long, mineral-driven finish. Though it will be drinking well sooner than usual, this truly remarkable wine will be enjoyed by your grandchildren as well. Is it lacking just a bit of flesh to reach a perfect score? This may yet turn out to be the wine of the vintage, and is an archetypical expression of the unique characteristics of great Bordeaux cabernet sauvignon.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2009 Lafite-Rothschild does not quite click into fifth gear on this occasion. It is certainly more classically styled than the bottle shown at Farr's tasting the following week, with cedar and leather aromas, more undergrowth scents than others. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth sleek texture, not grippy and clearly without Latour's backbone, yet very long with a surprisingly sweet finish. Very fine. Tasted at BI Wines & Spirits' Ten Year On tasting.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2009 Lafite-Rothschild is quite high-toned and expressive on the nose, perhaps the most ostentatious of the top flight 2009s with upfront black cherry and boysenberry fruit, lavish new oak and touches of violet. The palate is sleek and satin-like in feel with copious dark cherry and boysenberry fruit, fig and dates, almost honeyed in texture towards the precocious finish that has an opulent bent, almost hedonistic, unusual for this First Growth. But it is kinda irresistible. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners’ 2009 Bordeaux tasting.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2009 Lafite-Rothschild appears to be improving with age to the point where against form, I actually think it has the edge over the 2010. It is certainly deeper in colour and exhibits more fruit than the succeeding vintage with blackberry, bilberry, fresh mint and classic pencil lead aromas. The aromatics feel full and complete. The palate is very well balanced with impressive density – not always a facet of Lafite-Rothschild. The 2009 is a powerful wine, with allspice and cracked black pepper towards the weighty, assertive and exuberant finish. Perhaps in the long run the 2009 will be overtaken by the 2010 but at this moment, I would not bet against the staying power of this stupendous First Growth. Tasted at the Lafite-Rothschild 150th anniversary dinner at the estate.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Deep ruby-red. Classic Lafite aromas of cassis, cedar and graphite are lifted by a fragrant violet note. Then pure and vibrant on the palate, with seamless flavors of blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar, iron and flint. The very smooth tannins provide plenty of support to the fruit flavors, while the wine's harmonious acidity really draws out the finish. This outstanding Lafite is all about grace--in contrast to Latour's power.