Lafite Rothschild 2000

Pauillac, First Growth

Units	Size	Case size	GBP Price:	Quantities	Buy
12	75cl Bottle	Case 12	£9,800 per Case	Case	[Add to shopping basket]

Tasting Notes
I expected the 2000 Lafite Rothschild to be much too young, but I was blown away by how it performed at this meal. A classic Lafite with notes of lead pencil shavings and black currants as well as a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, it possessed striking intensity as well as aromatics. The wine seemed more evolved than I remember, but it is still an adolescent in terms of maturity. This beautiful, rich, full offering is a stunning achievement. Score: 100 Robert Parker, Hedonists Gazette, robertparker.com 01 January 2013
Since I gave this wine a perfect score, I suppose some could see this as a downgrade. I found everything still there for a perfect rating, but I was just struck by how tight and backward the wine was. A blend of 93.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, the wine still has a dark ruby/purple color and an extraordinarily youthful nose of graphite, black currants, sweet, unsmoked cigar tobacco, and flowers. The wine is rich, medium to full-bodied, but has that ethereal elegance and purity that is always Lafite. I originally predicted that it would first reach maturity in 2011, but I would push that back by 5-7 years now, although it has 50-60 years of life in front of it. Owners of this beauty are probably best advised to forget it for 5 years. Tasted next to a 1996 several days after the 2000 tasting, the 1996, which is a perfect wine, was far closer to full maturity than the 2000. Score: 98 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 June 2010
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. Score: 100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2011-2050 30 April 2003
The opaque purple-colored 2000 Lafite-Rothschild has put on weight. Despite the fact that it is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and only 7% Merlot, it is the essence of Lafite, a full, ripe, concentrated and muscular wine. The wine boasts layers of concentration as well as phenomenal purity and personality. The finish lasts over a minute. It is a compelling effort (only 36% of the crop made it into Lafite) from what is undoubtedly the greatest vintage Bordeaux has enjoyed from a perspective of the number of prodigious wines produced. Score: 96 - 100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2050 01 February 2002
The 2000 Lafite Rothschild contains an extremely high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (93.3%), with the balance 6.7% Merlot. A mere 36% of the crop made it into the grand vin. This is a noble, elegant Lafite. It reveals a transparency, and might be considered the archetype Lafite that was made during several of the estate's finest vintages of the fifties. Light in style, and elegant, its compelling aromatics (black fruits, minerals, lead pencil as well as cedar) draw the taster's attention. In the mouth, this medium-bodied wine exhibits excellent concentration, a certain lightness, and beautifully pure, well-delineated, laser-like clarity to its component parts. It is a monument to finesse and elegance, a style that Lafite-Rothschild can do better than any other Bordeaux chateau. Score: 94 - 96 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2009-2050 01 April 2001
Dark ruby - same colour as Ch Margaux 2000. Very light - almost soapy - on the nose. Lots of chew and potential. Polished sinewy tanins but not nearly ready - however many bottles have already been drunk in China! Appetising but wait. Green notes at the moment. This has length and potential. Score: 18 - 19 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2015-2035 23 March 2010
Full medium ruby. Flamboyantly perfumed aromas of cassis, graphite and tobacco, lifted by a floral nuance and stony minerality. Very young and precise but not austere or forbidding. A remarkably rich, silky, seamless Lafite with superb vibrancy for the vintage. Tannins are noble and the aristocratic finishing flavors go on and on. I tasted this from a 375 ml. bottle, but from all reports this wine is equally approachable right now from a standard bottle. Has more sheer density than the beautiful 2001 and may well soon shut down in the bottle. Score: 96 Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2003
Subtle aromas of currants, leather, tobacco and cedar. Classic cigar box nose, with fruit. Full-bodied, with an amazing texture of silky, ripe tannins. This wine completely coats your palate, but caresses it at the same time. This is the best young Lafite ever made. A triumph. Best after 2012. 18,000 cases made. Score: 100 James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2012+ 31 March 2003

Tasting Notes

I expected the 2000 Lafite Rothschild to be much too young, but I was blown away by how it performed at this meal. A classic Lafite with notes of lead pencil shavings and black currants as well as a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, it possessed striking intensity as well as aromatics. The wine seemed more evolved than I remember, but it is still an adolescent in terms of maturity. This beautiful, rich, full offering is a stunning achievement.

Score: 100

Robert Parker, Hedonists Gazette, robertparker.com 01 January 2013

Since I gave this wine a perfect score, I suppose some could see this as a downgrade. I found everything still there for a perfect rating, but I was just struck by how tight and backward the wine was. A blend of 93.3% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, the wine still has a dark ruby/purple color and an extraordinarily youthful nose of graphite, black currants, sweet, unsmoked cigar tobacco, and flowers. The wine is rich, medium to full-bodied, but has that ethereal elegance and purity that is always Lafite. I originally predicted that it would first reach maturity in 2011, but I would push that back by 5-7 years now, although it has 50-60 years of life in front of it. Owners of this beauty are probably best advised to forget it for 5 years. Tasted next to a 1996 several days after the 2000 tasting, the 1996, which is a perfect wine, was far closer to full maturity than the 2000.

Score: 98

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 June 2010

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.

Score: 100

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2011-2050 30 April 2003

The opaque purple-colored 2000 Lafite-Rothschild has put on weight. Despite the fact that it is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and only 7% Merlot, it is the essence of Lafite, a full, ripe, concentrated and muscular wine. The wine boasts layers of concentration as well as phenomenal purity and personality. The finish lasts over a minute. It is a compelling effort (only 36% of the crop made it into Lafite) from what is undoubtedly the greatest vintage Bordeaux has enjoyed from a perspective of the number of prodigious wines produced.

Score: 96 - 100

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2010-2050 01 February 2002

The 2000 Lafite Rothschild contains an extremely high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (93.3%), with the balance 6.7% Merlot. A mere 36% of the crop made it into the grand vin. This is a noble, elegant Lafite. It reveals a transparency, and might be considered the archetype Lafite that was made during several of the estate's finest vintages of the fifties. Light in style, and elegant, its compelling aromatics (black fruits, minerals, lead pencil as well as cedar) draw the taster's attention. In the mouth, this medium-bodied wine exhibits excellent concentration, a certain lightness, and beautifully pure, well-delineated, laser-like clarity to its component parts. It is a monument to finesse and elegance, a style that Lafite-Rothschild can do better than any other Bordeaux chateau.

Score: 94 - 96

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2009-2050 01 April 2001

Dark ruby - same colour as Ch Margaux 2000. Very light - almost soapy - on the nose. Lots of chew and potential. Polished sinewy tanins but not nearly ready - however many bottles have already been drunk in China! Appetising but wait. Green notes at the moment. This has length and potential.

Score: 18 - 19

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2015-2035 23 March 2010

Full medium ruby. Flamboyantly perfumed aromas of cassis, graphite and tobacco, lifted by a floral nuance and stony minerality. Very young and precise but not austere or forbidding. A remarkably rich, silky, seamless Lafite with superb vibrancy for the vintage. Tannins are noble and the aristocratic finishing flavors go on and on. I tasted this from a 375 ml. bottle, but from all reports this wine is equally approachable right now from a standard bottle. Has more sheer density than the beautiful 2001 and may well soon shut down in the bottle.

Score: 96

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2003

Subtle aromas of currants, leather, tobacco and cedar. Classic cigar box nose, with fruit. Full-bodied, with an amazing texture of silky, ripe tannins. This wine completely coats your palate, but caresses it at the same time. This is the best young Lafite ever made. A triumph. Best after 2012. 18,000 cases made.

Score: 100

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2012+ 31 March 2003

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