Lafite Rothschild 2013

Pauillac, First Growth

Units	Size	Case size	GBP Price:	Quantities	Buy
12	75cl Bottle	Case 6	£2,350 per Case	Cases	[Add to shopping basket]

Tasting Notes
The 2013 Lafite-Rothschild is a blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and just 2% Merlot. It has a straightforward, focused, undergrowth and tobacco-scented bouquet, nicely defined if perhaps missing the complexity and nuance of recent vintages. The palate is supple on the entry with notes of tart cherry, wild strawberry and a touch of graphite. It is certainly approachable for Lafite-Rothschild, balanced, though missing structure and density towards the sappy finish. It is a lightweight Lafite-Rothschild that does improve with aeration as it did in barrel, yet it never scales the heights of the greatest vintages from this First Growth. Score: 90 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2030 28 October 2016
The Grand Vin is a blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot. The latter was apparently difficult to assimilate with the Cabernet, gradually adding 1% at a time and finally, electing 2% as the optimal amount. As usual, I spent 10+ minutes with my sample, as it is never as immediate as say, Latour or Château Margaux. It has an elegant bouquet with a fine violet scent that became more accentuated with time. There is plenty of dark cherry and blackcurrant fruit, a touch of pencil shavings that becomes more pronounced with aeration. The palate is a little austere because of the dominance of the Cabernet Sauvignon, although that 2% Merlot does take the edge off the finish, rounding out any edges. The aftertaste has that attractive saline tincture, but here a little spicier and longer than its peers. This is a traditional Pauillac; a success for the vintage and a wine that I think will improve in bottle rather than in barrel. A steadfast Lafite. Score: 91 - 93 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 April 2014
Only one-third of the tiny 2013 crop made it into the 2013 Lafite Rothschild, which may be the lowest rated Lafite produced in the last twenty years. Composed of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot, only the 1994 (99% Cabernet Sauvignon) and 1961 (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) had higher percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon in the final blend. The 2013 possesses a dark ruby color, but it does not reveal much of the Lafite Rothschild character in the aromatics or flavors. Elegant, with dark cherry fruit interwoven with underbrush and damp wood-like notes, it narrows in the mouth, and while it is above-average, possibly even excellent, it is hardly an inspiring wine. At its price point, it is a major underachiever in this vintage. Score: 87 - 89 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 August 2014
The 2013 Lafite hits the palate with a burst of dark red and purple fruit. White flowers, mint and licorice all develop in the glass, adding layers of depth and complexity. Smoke, tar, cinnamon, graphite, dried violets and plums are all layered into the resonant finish. The style is up-front, textured and generous, with no hard edges and plenty of near to medium-term potential. The blend is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot. Tasted twice. Score: 90 - 93 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 01 April 2014
This is exceptionally high in cabernet sauvignon at 98% with only 2% merlot. It shows aromas of black currants and flowers and cigar box. It’s full body, with fine tannins and a long finish. It’s subtle and polished. Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 01 April 2014
98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot. Closed nose. Bold black fruit on the palate, moderate tannins on the mid palate that become pretty strong on the length. This is very classic Pauillac with excellent fruit clarity, but in the context of the price and provenance, it’s clear that 2013 is a levelling vintage. (17+) Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, Richard Hemming, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2028 01 April 2014
Superb black-red colour, fine depth of blackcurrant fruit, all elegance, precision, clarity and class, total vineyard expression that will repay keeping. Score: 94 Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2019-2035 01 April 2014
Still a bit clouded by oak today, this presents a slightly firm frame and a whiff of bread dough, but there’s persistence to the red currant, floral, iron and sanguine flavors, all carried by finely beaded acidity. Noticeably austere throughout. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Tasted non-blind. Score: 89 - 92 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 01 April 2014
A huge 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and just 2% Merlot this year. Fresh and clean Lafite nose with mineral perfume backed up fresh dark fruit. Medium weight with layers of beautifully textured black cherry and cassis. Quite strict and linear in profile but very pure with vibrant acidity, seamless tannins and very long on fruit. Score: 92 - 95 Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2014

Tasting Notes

The 2013 Lafite-Rothschild is a blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and just 2% Merlot. It has a straightforward, focused, undergrowth and tobacco-scented bouquet, nicely defined if perhaps missing the complexity and nuance of recent vintages. The palate is supple on the entry with notes of tart cherry, wild strawberry and a touch of graphite. It is certainly approachable for Lafite-Rothschild, balanced, though missing structure and density towards the sappy finish. It is a lightweight Lafite-Rothschild that does improve with aeration as it did in barrel, yet it never scales the heights of the greatest vintages from this First Growth.

Score: 90

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2018-2030 28 October 2016

The Grand Vin is a blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot. The latter was apparently difficult to assimilate with the Cabernet, gradually adding 1% at a time and finally, electing 2% as the optimal amount. As usual, I spent 10+ minutes with my sample, as it is never as immediate as say, Latour or Château Margaux. It has an elegant bouquet with a fine violet scent that became more accentuated with time. There is plenty of dark cherry and blackcurrant fruit, a touch of pencil shavings that becomes more pronounced with aeration. The palate is a little austere because of the dominance of the Cabernet Sauvignon, although that 2% Merlot does take the edge off the finish, rounding out any edges. The aftertaste has that attractive saline tincture, but here a little spicier and longer than its peers. This is a traditional Pauillac; a success for the vintage and a wine that I think will improve in bottle rather than in barrel. A steadfast Lafite.

Score: 91 - 93

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 April 2014

Only one-third of the tiny 2013 crop made it into the 2013 Lafite Rothschild, which may be the lowest rated Lafite produced in the last twenty years. Composed of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot, only the 1994 (99% Cabernet Sauvignon) and 1961 (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) had higher percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon in the final blend. The 2013 possesses a dark ruby color, but it does not reveal much of the Lafite Rothschild character in the aromatics or flavors. Elegant, with dark cherry fruit interwoven with underbrush and damp wood-like notes, it narrows in the mouth, and while it is above-average, possibly even excellent, it is hardly an inspiring wine. At its price point, it is a major underachiever in this vintage.

Score: 87 - 89

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com 01 August 2014

The 2013 Lafite hits the palate with a burst of dark red and purple fruit. White flowers, mint and licorice all develop in the glass, adding layers of depth and complexity. Smoke, tar, cinnamon, graphite, dried violets and plums are all layered into the resonant finish. The style is up-front, textured and generous, with no hard edges and plenty of near to medium-term potential. The blend is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot. Tasted twice.

Score: 90 - 93

Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com 01 April 2014

This is exceptionally high in cabernet sauvignon at 98% with only 2% merlot. It shows aromas of black currants and flowers and cigar box. It’s full body, with fine tannins and a long finish. It’s subtle and polished.

Score: 92 - 93

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 01 April 2014

98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot. Closed nose. Bold black fruit on the palate, moderate tannins on the mid palate that become pretty strong on the length. This is very classic Pauillac with excellent fruit clarity, but in the context of the price and provenance, it’s clear that 2013 is a levelling vintage. (17+)

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, Richard Hemming, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2018-2028 01 April 2014

Superb black-red colour, fine depth of blackcurrant fruit, all elegance, precision, clarity and class, total vineyard expression that will repay keeping.

Score: 94

Decanter, Decanter.com Maturity: 2019-2035 01 April 2014

Still a bit clouded by oak today, this presents a slightly firm frame and a whiff of bread dough, but there’s persistence to the red currant, floral, iron and sanguine flavors, all carried by finely beaded acidity. Noticeably austere throughout. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Tasted non-blind.

Score: 89 - 92

James Molesworth, Wine Spectator 01 April 2014

A huge 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and just 2% Merlot this year. Fresh and clean Lafite nose with mineral perfume backed up fresh dark fruit. Medium weight with layers of beautifully textured black cherry and cassis. Quite strict and linear in profile but very pure with vibrant acidity, seamless tannins and very long on fruit.

Score: 92 - 95

Albany Vintners, - 01 April 2014

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