Lafite Rothschild 2000 Ex-Chateau (750ML)

100 RP / 100 JS / 99 WE / 98 JA / 98 WCI / 98 WS / 98 FS / 98 DE / 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

Perhaps of all the first growths in the totally un-classic 2000, this retains most of the classic Bordeaux. It is certainly almost black in color, while the new wood flavors are very present. But it shows an impressive restraint, leaving the power of the wine to be revealed over the years rather than immediately. This could well be the longest-lived of the Pauillac first growths. - Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast

A baby, still barely evolved at 21 years old, perhaps the slowest out of the block of all Five Firsts in this vintage. A high Cabernet Sauvingon year, one of the highest on record, and although you had to be patient, it's clear that the 2000 vintage deserved the plaudits it received on release. The texture is velvety, seductive, with obvious width, and it remains extremely young . I would strongly recommend opening the 2001 over this (not a vintage that I specfically tasted in this vertical, but on recent examples) or certainly the 1996. If you drink this now you are missing out on the extra layer of naunce that is undoubtedly hidden underneath, although you'll already enjoy cassis puree, savoury black fruits, elegant yet concentrated with precision, heft and finely-sculpted tannins, signature Cabernet Sauvignon and signature Lafite. The power comes slowly, expanding through the palate to show graphite, pencil shavings, cigar smoke, all with firm acidities and a fantastic grip. 46% of the overall crop went into this wine in the 2000 vintage. A brilliant example of the success at Lafite under the longtime triumvirate of then-owner Baron Éric de Rothschild, CEO Christophe Salin and estate director Charles Chevallier. Last tasted July 2020. 100% new oak.-Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

The past 5-6 years have added a lot here. 2000 is bottled elegance. Everything is in place here. The wine has a beautiful sense of refinement, balance, silky tannins and layers of sweet, soft, red fruits that do not want to quit. This is one of the few vintages of Lafite that is better on the palate than it is on the nose. This is an incredible tasting experience that is only getting started. Unless you have a case and you cannot wait to dig in, give it a few more years in the cellar. With time, perhaps a decade or so, this will probably hit triple digits. Drink from 2025-2075- Tasted May 2022- Jeff Leve, Wine Cellar Insider

This is remarkably young, with a deep well of succulent black currant, fig and blackberry fruit notes that feel 10 years younger than most peers, carried by wave upon wave of velvety tannins. Despite the density and heft, there's glorious length and finesse too, with alluring black tea, smoldering charcoal and warm paving stone notes just starting to emerge. Awesome wine.--Blind 2000 Bordeaux retrospective (December 2015). Best from 2018 through 2043. 16,000 cases made. - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

The bouquet is amazingly open and forward at this stage, with a ripe black fruit character on the nose just beginning to open up and reveal savoury notes of leather, earth, and roast coffee. The texture is lush and dense, and there is plenty of body and structure to make this a wine for the long term. I visited the Château in July of 2000, and it was pouring with rain; that week, there was plenty of spraying for rot. Fortunately, it was hot and dry for the rest of the summer, and the fruit ended up healthy and ripe, although only 36% of the harvest made it into the grand vin, which was 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot. - Charles Curtis MW, Decanter

Dark ruby ​​garnet, violet reflections, delicate edge lightening. Black fruits, some plums, fine wood spice, fine chocolate, smoky minerals. On the palate completely embryonic, restrained, fine spice, still seems relatively strict and monolithic, present tannins, the fruit is established, nuances of fully ripe Cabernet Sauvignon, notes of cassis and blackberries, extract-sweet, well persistent, secure future potential, still has the first ripeness for drinking not quite achieved. The patience will be worth it.-Peter Moser, Falstaff

The 2000 Lafite-Rothschild is a millennial First Growth that bided its time and let greatness come naturally. Now, as it begins to reach its drinking window, it is starting to “find its groove”. This is the best showing after half-a-dozen encounters. Youthful in color, the bouquet remains pure and well defined, with trademark black fruit, graphite and cedar, though this particular example exhibited a touch more blue fruit. Whilst the aromatics are more understated than those of the 2000 Latour, there is a sense of panache. The palate is medium-bodied with irresistible lithe tannins that are neatly interwoven into the intense black fruit with veins of graphite and fresh tobacco, the former more conspicuous towards the finish. The 2000 is utterly graceful, and although it is not what you might tag a “barnstorming” performance, it is nonetheless one heavenly Pauillac that is just up to the second of a dozen chapters. Tasted at the Lafite-Rothschild dinner at Amuse Bouche in Hong Kong. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Dark crimson. Great depth. Some liquorice. Very deep and meaty, but definitely reticent. Lots of acidity. Quite dry, sprightly, and refreshing. Neat. Well tucked in. Very concentrated and taut. Sweeter, thicker, and more jagged than Mouton-Rothschild.-Jancis Robinson