2018 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Premier Cru Classe, Pauillac 3x150cl

JancisRobinson.com 18

Tasted blind. Savoury, deep. With some exotic notes. Relatively dry for a 2018. But sturdy and pretty impressive! Very youthful. Went down in the glass. [20/01/2022]

Anticipated maturity: 2032-2055

Antonio Galloni 98

The 2018 Lafite-Rothschild is a stunning wine. Silky and floral, the 2018 offers all the signatures of the Grand Vin, but amplified by the radiance of the year. In the glass, Lafite is rich and exotic, yet it also retains tremendous vibrancy. The interplay of Merlot picked early and Cabernet Sauvignon harvested late makes for wine of extraordinary dimension, complexity and class. Graphite, dark red fruit, spice and leather linger on the huge finish. Magnificent! [Antonio Galloni, 29/03/2021]

Anticipated maturity: 2028-2068

Wine Advocate 100

The 2018 Lafite Rothschild is blended of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Merlot and 0.5% Petit Verdot and has 13.3% alcohol. Deep purple-black in color, it needs a fair bit of swirling to unlock intoxicating scents of blackcurrant cordial, baked plums and black cherry compote with an undercurrent of dark chocolate, licorice, cast-iron pan, cedar chest and fertile loam, plus a waft of pencil lead. The delicately crafted, medium-bodied palate is dripping with class, featuring layers of mineral-laced black fruits and exquisitely ripe, singularly Lafite tannins, finishing with epic length and depth. This simply stunning, delicately crafted expression of 2018 with its singularly evocative imprint of Lafite will require a good 7-8 years in bottle, then should continue to inspire awe over the following 40+ years. [Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 12/03/2021]

Anticipated maturity: 2028-2068

Neal Martin 96

The 2018 Lafite-Rothschild comes in an embossed bottle to celebrate 150 years of ownership by the de Rothschild family. Typical of this First Growth, there is nothing gaudy or showy on the nose; instead, sensual, almost placid aromas of tobacco and pencil-shaving-tinged black fruit unfold gently in the glass. Less extroverted than the 2018 Mouton, this is sophisticated and cerebral. As I found before, it only gains vigor after 60 minutes. The palate is beautifully balanced with finely chiseled tannins, pure black fruit and those traits of cracked black pepper and sage extant. I once thought it might challenge the 2016 with bottle age, and though I feel that the 2018 is not quite at that level, it is certainly a wine befitting the anniversary. Lafite-Rothschild, masterfully proving how less is more. [Neal Martin, 08/03/2021]

Anticipated maturity: 2025-2060

vinum 95-98

Subtle, but surprisingly dark-toned, fruit and toast notes on nose. Inner mouth perfume of warm spices and musky scent. Serious length unfurls slowly on palate. Lovely sense of proportion and classicism. [Matthew Hemming, 01/03/2019]