In Bond Fine Wine. 2005 Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France. First Growth • Red Bordeaux in 12x75cl. Top critic score: 98/100 (JA). Drinking window: 2025–2055. Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
One of the most sought-after & powerful brands in the world of fine wine. First Growth Chateau Lafite Rothschild is a Bordeaux icon, renowned for its elegance, quality & longevity, favouring restraint and finesse over sheer power. Lafite is globally renowned with particularly strong demand across all markets, notably Asia - especially China, where it became a symbol of status and luxury during the 2000s. Landmark vintages like 1996, 2000, 2003, 2009, 2010 & 2016 continue to reinforce its reputation for quality & technical excellence with subtlety, ageability & authority. Its second wine, Carruades de Lafite, is also in high demand across international markets.
Robert Parker (RP) — 94–98/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 30/04/2007 · Drink 2015-2050+
Made in an ethereal style, the 2005 Lafite is composed of nearly 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, just under 11% Merlot, and a tiny fraction of Petit Verdot (representing only 40% of the total harvest). It is a deep, structured, linear style of Lafite Rothschild that is in total contrast to the opulence and extravagant richness of the 2003 and the bold, dramatic power of the 2000. The dense ruby/plum/purp…
Robert Parker (RP) — 93–96/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 30/04/2006 · Drink 2015-2050+
The 2005 Lafite is a lighter-styled effort than I expected, but of course, this estate is renowned for its delicacy and finesse. After the world-beating, off-the-charts 2003, which is a modern-day clone of the 1959, the 2005 seems pretty and restrained, but very noble as one would expect. Remarkably, the alcohol is actually higher in 2005 than in 2003, topping out at 13+%. The final blend was 88.…
Jancis Robinson MW (JR) — 19/20 · JancisRobinson.com, 10/04/2006 · Drink 2018-2040
Extremely complex and intriguing on the nose. More lifted than Duhart Milon and Carruades. Very fine-boned and minerally graphite sensation (although there is no Cabernet Franc in the final blend). Delicate - which is quite an achievement in 2005! Very subtle and very youthful. Wonderful opulence with a neat, dry finish. A gorgeous drink that may be overlooked in comparison with Latour's greater…