2017 Lafite Rothschild 1er Cru

The 2017 Lafite Rothschild, which is 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Merlot and 0.5% Petit Verdot, has a deep garnet-purple color. It opens slowly and cautiously with restrained notes of chocolate-covered cherries, mulberries, warm black currants and wild blueberries, followed by emerging notions of smoked meats, fragrant earth, crushed rock and lilac with hints of cast iron skillets and Marmite toast. The palate is medium-bodied, deceptively light and quite ethereal on entry, growing in the mouth to reveal elegant layers of energetic red and black fruits with tons of savory accents. Framed by exquisitely ripe, wonderfully fine-grained tannins, it has heady freshness and a very long, hypnotically fragrant finish. The alcohol content is a stunning 12.5%, which is nothing short of miraculous given the ripeness of the Cabernet. An absolute eye-catcher.

Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

Wine Advocate (Robert Parker): 97/100
James Suckling: 98/100
Fallstaff: 95/100

Taste: dry
Alcohol content: 12.5% vol.
Allergen information: Contains sulfites

Bottler, Importer: Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), 33 Rue de La Baume, 75008 Paris, France