Chateau Lafite Rothschild - Pauillac 2006
Chateau Lafite Rothschild Description
The quality of Chateau Lafite Rothschild needs no introduction. As early as 1815, Abraham Lawton had already designated it as leader: He ranked it as being the most elegant and delicate, with the finest body of the three (leading wines)? he qualified in 1855. As to Château Lafite traits shared by all vintage years, it was an enlightened amateur that summed it up best by saying ?...whatever the case, all the Château Lafite wines have an almond and violet aroma!?
Wine Enthusiast: 96 Points
As so often with Lafite, it is power that marks this wine. That, and density of texture. The additional element in this vintage, and at this stage of the wine's development, is a dominant wood element. The vanilla and tannins from the wood match well with the concentrated tannins of the fruit, which is dark, dense and tight. This is a wine for long-term aging: in 15 years this will have superb richness.
Wine Spectator: 95 Points
Plum, sweet tobacco and blackberry aromas follow through to a full body, offering a tight, chewy palate, yet with polished, refined tannins. Very long and caressing. This turns to a muscular and toned young wine. Gets better and better with age. Best after 2014.
Stephen Tanzer: 95 Points
Wine Advocate: 94 Points
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+.
