2018 Chateau Lafite Rothschild

Red Bordeaux Blend

France / Bordeaux / Medoc / AOC Pauillac

$1,075
JD 98
RP 100
V 98
Size:
Quantity:

Availability: 1

GRAND CRU CLASSÉS EN 1855, Premier Cru

2018 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, France

Winery Information

On the eve of the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the acquisition of Château Lafite by the Rothschild family, our teams faced major challenges due to the capricious weather conditions. From December to July, unremitting rain increased the risk of mildew and hail. The summer only really started in mid-July with very high, sometimes extreme heat, which helped to restore the vines’ health and set us on the path to a great vintage.

After the exceptionally challenging start to the growth cycle, our fears turned to joy during the final weeks as we saw 2018 developing the qualities of a magnificent vintage. When it came to the harvests, we were able to focus solely on obtaining optimal ripeness. The perfect health of the grapes enabled us to apply rigorous standards to the quality of our Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which proved to be exceptional.

TASTING NOTES (AT BOTTLING):

Dark colour with glints of purple giving the wine a bright, lively appearance. The nose is still quite closed but suggests tremendous depth. Aromas of black and red fruit, and cedar, characteristic of Lafite’s wines, then emerge. On the palate, the attack is impressive thanks to a remarkable blend that expresses its full harmony and power in a long, fresh finish.

This was an unusual year, and yet Lafite managed to demonstrate its extraordinary potential while at the same time keeping its balance and elegance.

  • Cabernet sauvignon 91%,
  • Merlot 8,50%,
  • Petit verdot 0,50%
  •  

    JD 98

    Jeb Dunnuck

    Checking in as a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot, the 2018 Château Lafite-Rothschild is one of those magical Lafites that offers an already up-front, complex, nuanced style yet has the class and balance to evolve for 40-50 years. As always, this wine is never about sheer power, and the 2018 offers a full-bodied, incredibly elegant and weightless style that carries textbook blackcurrant fruits, lead pencil shavings, green tobacco, cedarwood, and camphor aromas and flavors. I compared this wine to a more elegant version of the 2016 from barrel and I think that comparison still holds. Incredibly up-front and charming, and already drinkable with sweet tannins, it will unquestionably pick up more complexity and nuance over the coming 4-6 years. It should hit maturity around age 10 and evolve for 75 years or more given its perfect balance. This is a beautiful, quintessential Lafite that exudes elegance and charm. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck. Tasting date: March 11, 2021. Drinking window: 2027-2102.
    RP 100

    Robert Parker Wine Advocate

    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. Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown. Issue date: March 31, 2021. Drinking window: 2028-2068.
    V 98

    Vinous

    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! Reviewed by Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: March 2021. Drinking window: 2028 - 2068.

    For INTERNATIONAL shipping, click HERE.

    We ship within the United States to:

    AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, MD, ME, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, and WY.

    FREE SHIPPING INSURANCE: We provide FREE carrier insurance for lost or damaged shipments (per carrier terms and conditions.)

    FREE WINE STORAGE: We provide FREE 6 Months wine cellar storage from date of purchase. Please choose this option at checkout and we will coordinate shipping for a later date.

    SHIPPING: During warm summer weather, we recommend to only ship within the United States with Same Day or Next Day Air service to protect the wines from environmental damage. If you would like to waive this protection by shipping Ground, we will request a waiver be signed.

    PACKAGING: Our premium wines need optimal temperature consistency, therefore are packaged in EPS foam shippers with gel pack (when needed) and shipped only during ideal weather temperatures.

    For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, wine bottles will be removed from case and shipped inside a foam shipper box for safety (unless otherwise requested). The wooden case will be shipped separately at Ground service. If faster service is necessary please contact us.

    WEATHER HOLD: In adverse temperature conditions, we reserve the right to withhold shipment until ideal temperatures return unless we receive explicit instructions via email to release the wines, voiding any guarantee. We will contact you if a hold is necessary.

    FULFILLMENT: Shipments are via UPS.

    • Orders received Monday - Thursday before 2:00 p.m. will typically ship the same day.
    • Orders received Thursday 2:00 p.m. ~ Sunday will ship on Monday.

    DELIVERY:

    • Same Day service within Los Angeles Metro area may be available if order is placed before noon, but not guaranteed. Please contact us directly at (626)714-7006 to facilitate expedited service.
    • During extreme temperatures, all shipments are recommended for Next Day Air.

    Adult Signature: By law, all shipments of alcohol must be received and authorized by an adult. Our delivery carriers will not release packages without an adult signature and additional charges may be incurred if the package requires withholding or redirection.

    *********

    We ship within the United States to: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

    • CRITICAL REVIEWS
    • WINEMAKER NOTES
    JD 98

    Jeb Dunnuck

    Checking in as a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot, the 2018 Château Lafite-Rothschild is one of those magical Lafites that offers an already up-front, complex, nuanced style yet has the class and balance to evolve for 40-50 years. As always, this wine is never about sheer power, and the 2018 offers a full-bodied, incredibly elegant and weightless style that carries textbook blackcurrant fruits, lead pencil shavings, green tobacco, cedarwood, and camphor aromas and flavors. I compared this wine to a more elegant version of the 2016 from barrel and I think that comparison still holds. Incredibly up-front and charming, and already drinkable with sweet tannins, it will unquestionably pick up more complexity and nuance over the coming 4-6 years. It should hit maturity around age 10 and evolve for 75 years or more given its perfect balance. This is a beautiful, quintessential Lafite that exudes elegance and charm. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck. Tasting date: March 11, 2021. Drinking window: 2027-2102.
    RP 100

    Robert Parker Wine Advocate

    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. Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown. Issue date: March 31, 2021. Drinking window: 2028-2068.
    V 98

    Vinous

    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! Reviewed by Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: March 2021. Drinking window: 2028 - 2068.

    2018 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, France

    Winery Information

    On the eve of the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the acquisition of Château Lafite by the Rothschild family, our teams faced major challenges due to the capricious weather conditions. From December to July, unremitting rain increased the risk of mildew and hail. The summer only really started in mid-July with very high, sometimes extreme heat, which helped to restore the vines’ health and set us on the path to a great vintage.

    After the exceptionally challenging start to the growth cycle, our fears turned to joy during the final weeks as we saw 2018 developing the qualities of a magnificent vintage. When it came to the harvests, we were able to focus solely on obtaining optimal ripeness. The perfect health of the grapes enabled us to apply rigorous standards to the quality of our Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which proved to be exceptional.

    TASTING NOTES (AT BOTTLING):

    Dark colour with glints of purple giving the wine a bright, lively appearance. The nose is still quite closed but suggests tremendous depth. Aromas of black and red fruit, and cedar, characteristic of Lafite’s wines, then emerge. On the palate, the attack is impressive thanks to a remarkable blend that expresses its full harmony and power in a long, fresh finish.

    This was an unusual year, and yet Lafite managed to demonstrate its extraordinary potential while at the same time keeping its balance and elegance.

  • Cabernet sauvignon 91%,
  • Merlot 8,50%,
  • Petit verdot 0,50%
  •  

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