2000 Lafite Rothschild Ex-Chateau

Perfection in Pauillac

“Lafite Rothschild does it again!”- Robert Parker

100 pts Robert Parker / 100 pts James Suckling

99 WE / 98 JA / 98 WCI / 98 WS / 98 FS / 97 VM / 19.5 JR

$1,850.00 (750ml) Pre-Arrival – Buy Now

$4,500.00 (1.5L) Pre-Arrival – Buy Now

$17,950.00 (6.0L) Pre-Arrival – Buy Now

I had the pleasure and privilege of visiting Chateau Lafite about 20 years ago (see how young and thin I was). It’s as amazing a place as you might imagine a First Growth would be. When we arrived there was a collection of these cars lined up outside. All were in beautiful condition. We did not get to drive them.

Beautifully manicured vines where you could see the soils changing as you walked through them. I remember being told that “this section is always for the first wine, whereas this soil here is always for the second (carraudes)”. You could see the terroir as you walked the estate! And the cellar, with its vault of ancient, resting bottles. Kept behind iron bars to keep nosy wine nerds out, but still so lovely to see.

And as guests of the importer, we were lucky to dine in the family house with the winery’s director, and tasted some recent and some slightly older vintages (I remember something from the 70’s). And we finished up with a taste of the cognac and Armagnac that are produced exclusively for the estate. That is the afternoon I began drinking espresso, so I could make it to the next appointment. 

We have acquired some of the epic 2000 vintage, ex-chateau, and I thought it might be a lovely wine for your cellar. We even have access to a few magnums and an Imperial. These bottles are all direct from the chateau having never left Bordeaux,  resting quietly in France for you...

2000 Lafite Rothschild Ex-Chateau

$1,850.00 (750ml) Pre-Arrival – Buy Now

$4,500.00 (1.5L) Pre-Arrival – Buy Now

$19,995.00 $17,950.00 (6.0L) Pre-Arrival – Buy Now

100 RP / 100 JS / 99 WE / 98 JA / 98 WCI

98 WS / 98 FS / 97 VM / 19.5 JR

Well, well, well - Lafite Rothschild does it again. Ever since manager Charles Chevalier was transferred from his beloved Sauternes property of Rieussec (also owned by the Rothschilds) to Lafite in 1994, there has been a succession of profound wines to emerge from this noble estate. The 2000 Lafite Rothschild, a blend of 93.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6.7% Merlot (only 36% of the crop made the grade) has an opaque ruby/purple color, followed by an extraordinary aromatic expression of liquid minerals/stones interwoven with the tell-tale graphite notes, mulberry, black currants, caramel, and tobacco. In the mouth, it is remarkably light on its feet, but somehow seems to pack intense flavors into layer upon layer of fruit and richness that cascade over the palate. A compelling wine, with extraordinary precision, great intensity, and a seamlessness in spite of what are obviously elevated levels of tannin, this wine was provocatively open and beautiful when tasted in January and February, but I am sure it will soon close down. The finish lasted a whopping 72 seconds! This is utterly fascinating stuff. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2050. - Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate

The nose is fresh, bright, and dense. With aromas of violets, minerals, spices, cool stones, mint, dark fruits, and plum skins, this is beautiful. Very much still a baby right now, it needs much more time. This is a wine for the next generation. Finesse and elegance, truly a wine that makes you contemplate life. This is not about power, there is really nothing like it. 93% Cabernet Sauvignon. Do not even think about touching this for another ten years, 2020. 15+25+25+35. Find the wine. - James Suckling

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