Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2010

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The Lafite-Rothschild 2010 has a more exotic but no less compelling bouquet compared to its peers, with scents of macerated red cherries, creme de cassis, crushed violets and cedar wood. It has wonderful definition and generosity, though blind I was erring towards Mouton rather than Lafite! The palate is medium-bodied with a sensual, caressing entry that just flows across the mouth. There is good extraction here, not over-extraction with a vivacious finish: white pepper sprinkled over red and black fruit with amazing tension. It is extraordinarily long and persistent in the mouth. Tasted January 2014.

robert_parker100

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

This exceptionally rich, thick Lafite came in with the highest level of natural alcohol (13.5%) ever achieved at Lafite Rothschild. To put that in its proper context, the 2009 and 2005 were 13.3% and in the hottest Bordeaux summer ever recorded in over 200 years, the 2003 achieved 12.8%. A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot, all harvested between October 9 and 14, the 2010 exhibits an extraordinarily dense color, an unctuous texture and sweet black currant fruit intermixed with graphite, charcoal and truffle notes. A director Charles Chevalier told me, between July and the October harvest, Bordeaux had its driest weather since 1949, but it never got excessively hot. Hence the tiny berries, freshness and extraordinary precision of Lafite Rothschild. This superb effort will undoubtedly shut down slightly once it is bottled despite a pH of 3.8. It needs no building up because much of Lafite Rothschild has now become an obsession with the wealthy Chinese and most of it will undoubtedly be consumed before it ever hits its prime. Ideally, it should be cellared for 10-15 years and drunk over the following 50+ years.

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2010 is a blend of 87.2% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12.8% Merlot, cropped between 24th September until 13th October, delivering 13.48% alcohol at pH 3.82. Whereas the 2009 Lafite was an immediate “wow”, this is far more introspective and broody, particular coming directly after Latour. Deep, dusky dark berried fruit, a touch of cedar and pencil box. Good definition but not as expressive or as vigorous as I was expected. The palate is medium-bodied, very well balanced with fine but structure tannins, masculine in style, understated compared to Latour. I take a little sip (pourquoi pas?) and there is another annexe of dark cherry and a touch of boysenberry. Hints of cedar and spice towards the dry, tannic finish. This is a Lafite that will grow during its elevage. Drink 2020- Tasted March 2011.

robert_parker99

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The Lafite-Rothschild 2010 is a blend of 87.2% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot. It has a very sophisticated bouquet that demands a little more encouragement compared to the Mouton-Rothschild tasted earlier on this day. But it is worth the effort as it reveals wonderful graphite infused black fruit that boast bewitching focus and delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy, firm tannins that encase some fabulous, exuberant Cabernet Sauvignon: blackberry, a touch of fresh date, Christmas cake and kirsch. It is extremely well focused, less flamboyant than the 2009, but utterly harmonious and “complete”. This is a future legend that will vie with the 2009 Lafite. Spellbinding! Tasted November 2012.

robert_parker98

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The 2010 Lafite Rothschild, a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot (a 3% difference from the barrel sample shown two years ago), achieved relatively high alcohol of 13.32%, according to administrator Charles Chevalier. The wine is very impressive, not as fleshy, flamboyant and massive as the 2009, but nevertheless, a big, rich, full-throttle Lafite-Rothschild meant to age a half century or more. Deep purple, with notes of white chocolate, mocha, cedar and charcoal as well as hints of vanillin and creme de cassis, the wine is full-bodied yet has that ethereal lightness that makes it a Lafite. Rich, with good acidity, precision and freshness, this is a slightly zestier version of the 2009 as well as more restrained and structured than that particular vintage. It will need at least 10-12 years of cellaring and keep for 50+ years.

robert_parker100

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Lafite Rothschild is a little mute on the nose at this stage, opening to reveal warm blackcurrants, baked plums and boysenberry scents with hints of chocolate mint, violets, cedar chest and pencil lead. Full-bodied, rich and densely packed with perfumed black fruit layers, it has a rock-solid backbone of fantastically ripe, grainy tannins and beautiful freshness, finishing very long and minerally. Still very youthful!

vinous98

Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata

(87.2% cabernet sauvignon and 12.8% merlot; 13.5% alcohol) Glass-staining deep purple-ruby. Archetypical Lafite elegance on the nose, offering delicate, pure aromas of cassis, blueberry, cedar and graphite complicated by intense minerality. Then bright and fresh in the mouth, with perfectly harmonious acids nicely supporting the pretty blackcurrant, cedar and delicate herbal flavors. Very long and extremely refined, with uncanny silkiness of tannins. A cool, refined, impeccably balanced Lafite that will need plenty of aging: drink 2022 through 2050. One of the top half dozen wines of the vintage.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2010 Lafite-Rothschild has a vivacious bouquet with feisty red berry fruit laced with kirsch, blueberry and subtle blood orange aromas that soar from the glass. There is no ignoring these aromatics. The palate has a soft, fleshy entry that caresses the senses, quite plush and more like a 2009 in style. Layers of red and black fruit vie for attention, leading to a sensual rounded finish. Excellent, but I just would have preferred more grip and backbone. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2010 Lafite-Rothschild has more vivacious bouquet than expected with veins of blue fruit and iodine tincturing the black fruit. It is well defined if just missing the audacity of the Latour. The palate is approachable on the entry with fine grain tannins. It feels a touch more mature than the other First Growths, though the pliant and poised finish has a sensuality uncommon in Lafite. Superb. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2010 Lafite-Rothschild is a beautiful Pauillac in the making. It has a very well-defined bouquet that exhibits more red than black fruit, laced with cedar, damp undergrowth and pressed flowers. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannins, conveying a sense of symmetry and focus that is second to none. Yet I feel that there ought to be greater substance and grip towards the second half. I miss the fullness shown by the 2009 Lafite-Rothschild that is shown alongside it. There is a pleasant sharpness and clarity to this decidedly masculine Lafite. I suspect it will continue to improve in bottle, if never taking the accolade of best in show for this auspicious growing season. Tasted at the Lafite-Rothschild 150th anniversary dinner at the estate.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Deep ruby-purple. Closed but extremely pure and penetrating on the nose, offering delicate aromas of crushed blackcurrant, flint and graphite lifted by a perfumed violet topnote. Very refined and clean on the palate, with concentrated cassis, violet, ink and cedar flavors that are archetypal Lafite. Finishes with the hint of astringency that I find in a lot of 2010 Bordeaux. This is an extremely impressive Lafite but it needs at least a decade of cellaring.