Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 2022 - 1er Grand Cru Classé

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

As a premier cru of Pauillac, Lafite owes its unparalleled finesse to the gravel soils in the northern part of the appellation, set on a limestone base, combined with extremely rigorous selection processes that discard more than half of the harvest. Strongly dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, which often accounts for over 90% of the blend, Lafite shines with notes of cedar and graphite that take more than fifteen years to fully develop. The new team in charge of the estate (the duo of Saskia de Rothschild and Éric Kohler) is committed to adding more depth to both the first growth and the second wine.

Decanter

About the wine:

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

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

This 2022 vintage is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon—a truly memorable wine that draws its strength from the vintage, yet is enveloped here in a texture that is both soft and voluptuous. Let’s take a closer look. The color is dense and the nose slow to awaken: hints of roasted notes, sandalwood, and oriental spices, a touch of peony, then fruit (blackcurrant, plum), both ripe and fresh. The rich, velvety texture on the attack lends comfort to a palate that gains tension under the influence of creamy, very powdery, tight tannins, yet without any astringency. The finish, very savory, smells of grape must and releases that hint of graphite that often characterizes the vintage as it ages. 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 winemaking tradition—established as early as the 17th century—to the Ségurs, Bordeaux parliamentarians and major vineyard owners, a legacy that earned it the status of First Growth in 1855. But it owes its survival—having remained untouched by the divisions and sales that weakened so many prestigious estates—to the Rothschilds, who acquired it in 1868. It also owes its modernization and state-of-the-art facilities—such as its famous circular cellar designed by Ricardo Bofill—to the team led by Éric de Rothschild, who has been at the helm since 1974, and Charles Chevallier, its technical director until 2016. These facilities allow the full personality of an exceptional terroir—planted with 112 hectares of vines—to be revealed: a superb hillock of fine, deep gravel over a limestone subsoil. In 2016, Éric Kohler took over as Lafite’s technical director, with Charles Chevallier remaining as a consultant and ambassador for the château.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

In the bottle, the 2022 Lafite Rothschild has proven to be even better than expected. It is bursting with aromas of sweet red fruit, minty blackcurrant, violet, and cigar box. It is medium-bodied, velvety, and smooth, with a deep, enveloping core of vibrant fruit, beautifully refined tannins, and a long, fragrant finish. Even at this early stage, it is remarkably integrated and harmonious, and it is certainly the most elegant of the year’s Premiers Crus, reminding me of a modern version of the magical 1953 Lafite. 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 unfolds its captivating aromas of graphite and pencil lead. Tasting it is like discovering a unique texture and vitality. A vast estate spanning 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 collections of (very) old vintages, which demonstrates just how consistently exemplary the estate has been (with the exception of a few vintages). Saskia, daughter of Éric de Rothschild, took over as head of the group’s estates in 2018, while Éric Kholer has overseen winemaking since 2016. Of note in recent vintages is the progress made by the second wine, Les Carruades.

James Suckling

About the wine:

A benchmark modern Lafite that reveals aromas of tobacco, orange peel, cedar, pencil shavings, violets, and cigar boxes—so fragrant. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with plenty of graphite, stone, and notes of redcurrant. The finish lingers for several minutes. It reminds me of the Lafites I loved so much 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 the wine:

On the nose, a captivating aroma that fills the mind with an immersive sweetness, like a hedonistic form of pranayama. From the very first sip, the wine unfolds on the palate with striking fullness, enveloping the entire body. Powerful yet delicate, it oscillates between caressing sweetness and mouth-watering freshness. Slow waves of fruit, sap, salt, and incense stretch out majestically. Every subtle nuance blends into a harmonious whole, gliding over the tongue with infinite languor. 2032–2065

Yves Beck

About the wine:

The freshness that Carruades foreshadowed is not merely echoed by Lafite, but literally brought to life, with stunning clarity, uncompromising precision, and a sense of certainty. With a focus on balance, the bouquet even reveals unexpected candied nuances to create an exceptional harmony. The depth suggested by the bouquet is perfectly captured by the palate. The wine asserts itself with finesse and serenity right from the attack. Aware of its vigor, the wine begins by displaying some tannins that underscore its power, without it becoming overpowering, though we almost tip over into the realm of the dark side! Ultimately, it is reason, finesse, detail, and precision that take the lead and give rise to a truly great Lafite Rothschild. It has always revealed itself slowly—this is nothing new—but it does so in a relaxed manner, with confidence and persuasion. The dry tannins provide ideal support; they provide structure, are refreshing, and go hand in hand with the character of a well-defined acidic structure, even if there is ultimately little of it. A fine and subtle austerity thus stimulates the palate and extends the finish’s persistence. A wine of exceptional caliber. 2029–2057

Vert de Vin

About the wine:

A lovely, elegant nose—light, deep, and intense, with perfect balance and a beautifully refined character. This wine benefits from decanting. Superb delicacy and finesse within its intensity. It features notes of Boysenberry, vibrant blackcurrant, and a hint of blueberry, combined with touches of lilac. The palate is beautifully executed—supple, fresh, airy, melodious, captivating, deep, delicate, and vibrant—offering a lovely texture. It has a captivating, “come and get me” quality. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/fresh blackcurrant, vibrant/fresh cherry, and, more subtly, bright red berries, combined with hints of racy minerality, juicy/fresh purple plum, bright/juicy red berries, and subtle hints of chocolate. The tannins are velvety, rich, and elegant. Good length and superb persistence. A wonderful vibrancy. Superb airy character in its richness and power.