The 2001 Lafite Rothschild has a quintessential bouquet for Lafite: very pure, almost understated at first. It then begins to open with briary, blackberry leaf, cedar and freshly rolled tobacco with subtle floral notes emerging after three of four minutes in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and it certainly shows more vitality than the 1985 served alongside. Slightly grainy tannins, more feminine than previous bottles with dark plum, blackberry, citrus fruit, a touch of dried apricot and a very precise finish. Superb.

The 2001 Lafite-Rothschild has a little more precision on the nose compared to the millennial Lafite. It’s vivid and focused, featuring blackberry, briar, cedar and mint, and a touch of cola in the background. The palate is well balanced and svelte in texture, building beautifully with aeration to a gorgeous, truffle-tinged finish that is a little spicier than three years ago, when I last tasted this vintage. Maybe it just tails off toward the finish when compared to the 2000. Still, this is an elegant, blue-blooded Lafite-Rothschild that exudes class. -- Neal Martin

Top 100: 2004, Rank: 7, Stick your nose in this and it says something--"I am special." Deep and generous aromas of blackberries, fresh tobacco and minerals. It's full-bodied, with big velvety tannins and a superlong finish. Like a fine cashmere sweater. Best after 2010. 22,000 cases made. –JS

Amazing finesse: lead pencil, cassis, cedar, and unforgettable. A very underrated vintage. Drinking Window 2016 - 2075 Read more at https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/bordeaux/chateau-lafite-rothschild-bordeaux-france-2001-4842#0bFVIZepkABr0xZb.99

Continuing its march towards maturity, the cassis, cedar chest, tobacco, blackberry and forest floor aromas are right there. Supple, regal, polished, lush and fresh, the elegant charm of this wine is starting to poke through. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2001&wine=Chateau%20Lafite%20Rothschild

The 2001 Lafite Rothschild's deep saturated plum/purple color is accompanied by lead pencil liqueur-like notes intermixed with sweet red and black currants plums and cedar. This blend of 86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13.5% Merlot is a classic example of Lafite. Extremely elegant medium-bodied with intense concentration richness and sweet tannin it appears to be on a rapid evolutionary track at least in comparison to recent Lafite vintages that have been far more backward and powerful. The classy 2001 should be at its finest between 2007-2020.

(18/20) From magnum. Firm dark ruby. More sweet and perfumed than many other vintages of this wine. Some savoury notes on the palate but not the ethereal quality of many other vintages. Some delicacy. This is already readable – more evolved than the other 2001 first growths.