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Lafite Rothschild 2001

Pauillac, First Growth

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Tasting Notes

Tasted blind at Bordeaux Index’s 10-Year On horizontal. Now this is a serious nose; very complex and well defined with blackberry, briary, cedar, graphite and just a touch of leather, beautifully defined and focused. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins and simply wonderful poise. Very strict at the moment, concentrated on balancing on its tip-toes, the elegant, bay-leaf-tinged finish yet to develop that complexity that will surely come. The breeding is just so obvious here. Tasted March 2011.

Score: 96

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 May 2011

A very different wine from the rest. Muted and tight and very mineral on the nose. Graphite? Dry finish. Just a bit too introvert for pleasure? Where’s the fruit? Astringent finish. Very tart too.

Score: 16

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2012-2020 13 February 2008

The 2001 Lafite Rothschild’s deep, saturated plum/purple color is accompanied by lead pencil liqueur-like notes intermixed with sweet red and black currants, plums, and cedar. This blend of 86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13.5% Merlot is a classic example of Lafite. Extremely elegant, medium-bodied, with intense concentration, richness, and sweet tannin, it appears to be on a rapid evolutionary track, at least in comparison to recent Lafite vintages that have been far more backward and powerful. The classy 2001 should be at its finest between 2007-2020.

Score: 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2007-2020 30 June 2004

A classic Lafite Rothschild, with a good 40 years of potential aging ahead of it, this wine tastes like a juiced-up 1999. A blend of 86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13.5% Merlot (only 43% of the crop was deemed worthy enough for this wine), the 2001 shows the classic Lafite nose of lead pencil shavings (graphite), plum, cherry, and black currant, with a hint of tobacco leaf, cedar, and spice box. Medium-bodied, with loads of tannin, this intensely concentrated Lafite is somehow restrained, with extraordinary precision and purity. It is a beauty and seems to be putting on a bit of weight.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2012-2040 01 April 2003

The 2001 Lafite Rothschild is a wine of concentrated elegance, finesse, and delicacy. This blend of 86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13.5% Merlot (only 43% of the crop was acceptable) is reminiscent of the 1999, but it reveals additional tannin as well as a more austere finish. An impressive deep ruby/purple color is followed by sweet aromas of cedar, black currants, lead pencil shavings, and subtle toasty oak. It is medium-bodied, with a nicely-layered mid-palate (something many 2001s are not yet revealing), admirable delicacy and precision, and a long finish. It will be drinkable at an early age, yet will last two decades.

Score: 92 - 94

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2008-2022 01 April 2002

Bright red-ruby. Sexy aromas of raspberry, cedar, coconut, minerals, lead pencil, chocolate and tobacco leaf. Juicy, lively and penetrating, with sharply delineated flavors of blackberry, raspberry and rose petal. Boasts the classic inner-mouth energy of this great first growth, but also grew increasingly silky with extended aeration. Finishes with tongue-coating tannins and superb lift.

Score: 93

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2004

Stick your nose in this and it says something - "I am special." Deep and generous aromas of blackberries, fresh tobacco and minerals. It's full-bodied, with big velvety tannins and a superlong finish. Like a fine cashmere sweater. Best after 2010. 22,000 cases made.

Score: 96

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2010+ 31 March 2004