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★ Vinous 94 • James Suckling 94 • Wine Advocate 94

LAFITE ROTHSCHILD 1er Grand cru classé Pauillac Bordeaux rouge 1988

Bordeaux red Pauillac

€545,00 / 75cl inc. VAT | Limited availability

1988 has endowed Lafite Rothschild with a discreet yet profound elegance, where a preserved vivacity engages in a dialogue with evolved substance. The nose is articulated around notes of cedar and blond tobacco, complemented on the palate by fine spices and ripe black fruit, all supported by a structure that promises beautiful longevity.

Format:
Appellation: Pauillac
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Grape varieties: Bordeaux Blend Red
Alcohol: N/A
Color: Red
Condition: Perfect

94

Vinous Tasting Note

Tasted blind, the 1988 Lafite-Rothschild surprises everyone by surpassing both the 1989 and 1990. It has that unmistakable classic nose of pencil lead and cedar, less primary fruit than that aforementioned pair, yet greater precision, more focus and more class. The palate is both clean and precise with exquisite balance, fine tannins, cedar and tobacco infusing the black fruit with pencil lead notes becoming more accentuated towards the finish. It has been a while since I last tasted the 1988 and to be honest, I cannot remember it being this good. But now, of the three vintages that tailend the decade I would choose the 1988 Lafite-Rothschild. Tasted at the Lafite-Rothschild 150th anniversary dinner at the property.

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About the Producer

About the Producer

Château Lafite Rothschild stands out in Pauillac as one of the most accomplished expressions of great Bordeaux wine, rooted in a terroir of deep gravel that gives Cabernet Sauvignon rare poise and finesse. Heir to an ancient history, celebrated under the Ségur family before entering the Rothschild orbit, the estate has built an identity where prestige never takes precedence over precision. In the northern Médoc, it cultivates a racy, nuanced style, always driven by freshness, cedar, graphite, and that lingering finish that allows the wine to endure. Under the guidance of the Rothschild family and the teams that watch over the vineyard today, Château Lafite Rothschild continues a highly refined interpretation of its plots and aging process. The "grand vin" remains the beating heart of the property, while Carruades de Lafite offers a more supple and immediate variation without blurring the estate's hierarchy. The silhouette of the château, its anchor in Pauillac, and its reputation as a wine of the court compose a living heritage rather than a mere myth. Château Lafite Rothschild thus remains a major reference for those seeking a Pauillac of great aging potential, serene depth, and lasting elegance.

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