Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 2022 - 1er Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

The supreme Pauillac wine, Lafite owes its unparalleled finesse to its gravelly soils in the northern part of the appellation, on a limestone base, with extremely rigorous selections that discard more than half of the harvest. Strongly influenced by Cabernet Sauvignon, which often accounts for more than 90% of the blend, Lafite shines with its notes of cedar and graphite, which take more than fifteen years to develop. The new team in charge of the estate (Saskia de Rothschild and Éric Kohler) is committed to giving more dimension to the wines, both the grand vin and the second wine.

Decanter

About wine:

Deep, dark, and discreet, it offers aromas of fresh black fruits with notes of cocoa and minerality from sea spray. Balanced and fragrant, it glides across the palate with Lafite's characteristic elegance. The tannins delicately frame the red fruits and ensure perfect balance. Subtle yet imposing, with layers of refinement, depth, and completeness, and a mentholated, stony, and crystalline purity. A masterpiece of sobriety and precision. I love this wine. 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. Organic. 2029-2050

Guide Hachette des vins

About wine:

94% Cabernet Sauvignon in this legendary 2022 vintage, which draws a certain strength from the year, but is coated here with a flesh that is both soft and voluptuous. Let's go back to the beginning. The color is dense and the nose slow to awaken: hints of roasting, sandalwood, oriental spices, peony, then fruit (blackcurrant, plum), both ripe and fresh. The great mellowness of the attack gives comfort to a palate that gains tension under the effect of smooth, very powdery, tight tannins, but without any astringency. The finish, very sapid, smells of grape must and releases that touch of graphite that often characterizes the vintage as it evolves. A truly beautiful journey. 2032-2050

About the estate:

A former seigneury whose jurisdiction extended north of Pauillac, the estate owes its château and its wine-growing vocation, established in the 17th century, to the Ségur family, Bordeaux parliamentarians and major vineyard owners. This earned it the status of Premier Cru Classé in 1855. But it owes its Rothschilds, who acquired it in 1868, for having been spared the divisions and other transfers that weakened so many prestigious properties. It also owes its modernization and high-performance tools, such as its famous circular cellar designed by Ricardo Bofill, to the team formed by Éric de Rothschild, at the helm since 1974, and Charles Chevallier, its technical director until 2016. These tools allow the personality of an exceptional terroir planted with 112 hectares of vines to be fully revealed: a superb hilltop of fine, deep gravel on a limestone subsoil. Éric Kohler took over as technical director of Lafite in 2016, with Charles Chevallier remaining as consultant and ambassador for the château.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

In the bottle, Lafite Rothschild 2022 proved to be even better than expected. Bursting with aromas of sweet red fruits, minty blackcurrant, violet, and cigar box. It is medium-bodied, velvety, and smooth, with a deep, enveloping core of lively fruit, beautifully refined tannins, and a long, fragrant finish. Even at this early stage, it is remarkably integrated and harmonious, and is certainly the most elegant of the Premiers Crus of the year, reminding me of a modern version of the magical Lafite 1953. 2030-2065

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

Masterful, Lafite stands out as the most refined of the Médoc wines when, after a few years of aging, it unfurls its captivating aromas of graphite and pencil lead. Tasting it is like discovering a unique texture and vitality. A vast estate covering 178 hectares, 105 of which are planted with vines, Lafite has belonged to the Rothschild family since 1868. The château can also boast one of the richest heritages in terms of (very) old vintages, which shows just how consistently exemplary the estate has been (with the exception of a few vintages). Saskia, daughter of Éric de Rothschild, took over the management of the group's properties in 2018, while Éric Kholer has been supervising the winemaking since 2016. It is worth noting the progress made in recent vintages by the second wine, Les Carruades.

James Suckling

About wine:

A modern Lafite benchmark that reveals aromas of tobacco, orange peel, cedar, pencil shavings, violet, and cigar box—so fragrant. The palate is medium-bodied with lots of graphite, stone, and redcurrant notes. It lingers for several minutes. It reminds me of the Lafites I loved so much several decades ago. It could be the great 1986 vintage. A blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. Best after 2030, but already fascinating.

Le Figaro vins

About wine:

On the nose, a captivating fragrance fills the mind with an immersive sweetness, like a hedonistic form of pranayama. From the first sip, the wine unfolds in the mouth with striking fullness, enveloping the entire body. Powerful and delicate at the same time, it oscillates between caressing sweetness and mouthwatering freshness. Slow waves of fruit, sap, salt, and incense stretch out majestically. Each subtle nuance blends into a harmonious whole, gliding over the tongue with infinite languor. 2032-2065

Yves Beck

About wine:

The freshness that Carruades promised is not only enhanced by Lafite, but literally energized, with stunning clarity, uncompromising precision, and accuracy. With a focus on balance, the bouquet even reveals incredible candied nuances to create an exceptional symbiosis. The depth suggested by the bouquet is perfectly assimilated by the palate. The wine positions itself with finesse and serenity from the outset. Aware of its vigor, the wine begins by displaying some tannins that emphasize their power, without being overpowering, although we almost tip over into the realm of dark forces! Ultimately, it is reason, finesse, detail, and precision that lead the way and give birth to a very great Lafite Rothschild. It has always revealed itself slowly, which is nothing new, but it does so in a relaxed manner, with confidence and persuasion. The dry extracts of the tannins provide ideal support; they provide structure and refreshment and go hand in hand with the temperament of a well-honed acidic structure, even if there is ultimately little of it. A fine and subtle austerity therefore makes the palate salivate and extends the length of the finish. A wine of exceptional quality. 2029-2057

Vert de Vin

About wine:

A lovely, elegant nose, airy, deep, intense, perfectly balanced and beautifully refined. This wine benefits from being decanted. Superb delicacy and finesse in its intensity. Notes of Boysenberry, bright blackcurrant and a hint of blueberry are found, combined with touches of lilac. The palate is beautifully executed, supple, fresh, airy, melodious, captivating, deep, delicate, bright and offers a lovely texture. A captivating side, "come and get me." On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/fresh blackcurrant, bright/fresh cherry and, more subtly, bright red berries combined with hints of racy minerality, juicy/fresh purple plum, bright/juicy red berries and discreet hints of chocolate. The tannins are mellow, rich and elegant. Good length and superb persistence. Superb brightness. Superb airiness in its richness and power.