Lafite Rothschild 1988

Pauillac, First Growth

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Tasting Notes

Beautiful and subtle on the nose, with mineral, berry, licorice and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a pretty balance of fruit and mint. Long and caressing. Real claret here. Everyone talks about 1989, but this is very close in quality.

Score: 94

James Suckling, Wine Spectator 01 January 2009

Quite deep purple. Inky. Very Cabernet nose. Smooth and more than a hint of Lafite's trademark dancing elegance. Gentle start and quite a dry finish, but very, very respectable and true to the vintage. Quite long.

Score: 17 - 18

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2002-2015 31 August 2005

Broodingly backward and in need of considerable bottle age, the 1988 is a classic expression of Lafite. This deeply-colored wine exhibits the tell-tale Lafite bouquet of cedar, subtle herbs, dried pit fruits, minerals, and cassis. Extremely concentrated, with brilliantly focused flavors and huge tannins, this backward, yet impressively endowed Lafite-Rothschild may well turn out to be the wine of the vintage!

Score: 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2000-2035 01 October 1994

The 1988 Lafite continues to offer persuasive evidence that it is the wine of the Medoc, as well as a top candidate for the wine of the vintage. Much deeper in color than the 1989, the 1988 has the classic Lafite bouquet of cedar, subtle herbs, dried pit fruits, and cassis. Extremely concentrated, with brilliantly focused flavors and huge tannins, this backward yet impressively endowed Lafite-Rothschild does not enjoy the acclaim of the 1982, 1986, 1989, and 1990, but do not be surprised to see it rivaling those wines in 15-20 years. The wine of the vintage?

Score: 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2000-2035 01 August 1993