2008 Lafite-Rothschild Bordeaux Blend

Bordeaux Blend - 750ML
Reg: $1,150.00
$875.00
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REVIEWS

WA 98 JL 97 NM 97 WE 97 JS 95 DC 94 JD 94 VN 94 WS 92
WA 98

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, May 2011

A candidate for the -wine of the vintage- the 2008 should have been purchased before it began to soar in value because of the significance of the number 8 in the Chinese culture (denoting good luck). Representing 40% of...
JL 97

TheWineCellarInsider.com, September 2018

Elegant, refined, pure, focused, vibrant, fresh and classic in its nature, it is easy to discern the cedar, tobacco leaf, lead pencil cassis and blackberry nuances, with just a little effort. On the palate, the wine...
NM 97

Neal Martin's Wine Journal, February 2012

Tasted ex-château and single blind in Southwold. Pick of the First Growth's perchance? The 2008 has a beautiful classic Pauillac nose with pure blackberry graphite and sous-bois aromas that demonstrates supreme great...
WE 97

Wine Enthusiast, April 2011

Elegance in a glass this is very upright in structure with enticing acidity and black berry fruits. It has weight as well as richness. No question about the aging potential of this superb wine. R.V.
JS 95

jamessuckling.com, December 2010

Minerals, tar and sous bois with dark fruit. Sweet tobacco. Black licorice. Full and chewy with lots of fruit but very reserved. So much mineral and sweet tobacco. It is all there. Give it four to five years of bottle age...
DC 94

Decanter, February 2021

Extremely Cabernet dominant, with savoury black fruit and a ton of Pauillac character. A fairly reserved, finely-boned Lafite, with menthol and tobacco leaf. Subdued right now but in it for the long haul. The vintage with...
JD 94

jebdunnuck.com, February 2019

(94+ points) The 2008 Lafite-Rothschild is one of the few wines that’s still obviously closed and backward, yet nevertheless shows incredible potential. Made from a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 4%...
VN 94

Vinous, May 2018

The 2008 Lafite Rothschild put in a strange showing at the previous horizontal just a few weeks earlier. This bottle is much better. It has a deep color with little ageing on the rim. On the nose there is ample fruit...
WS 92

Wine Spectator, April 2011

Supple and harmonious already with inviting almost plush blackberry plum and fig fruit notes carried by fine-grained lightly cedary structure. Black tea and sandalwood flash on the finish. Poised now but has the stuffing...

WINE DETAILS

Color & Type Red
Varietal Bordeaux Blend
Country France
Region Bordeaux
Sub-region Pauillac
Vintage 2008
Size 750ML
Percent alcohol 12.5%
Closure Cork

Chateau Lafite, the famous Pauillac property of the Left Bank of the Medoc, began to earn its reputation as a great winemaking estate in the 17th century. Acquiring a strong following in London in the early 18th century, Lafite found its way to the Versailles court, receiving acclaim as the “The King’s Wine”. The reputation did not diminish, achieving a pinnacle when it was ranked a First Growth in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification.

On August 8, 1868, Baron James de Rothschild purchased Chateau Lafite, although he died just three months later leaving Lafite to his three sons. The years that followed were considered a golden age for the estate, producing a rich legacy of remarkable vintages.

Fortunes turned at the end of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, which were turbulent years. The vines suffered both a phylloxeric crisis and mildew. Then there was organized fraud, World War I, followed by the Great Depression, and finally the occupation of France during World War II. After this difficult period, Baron Elie de Rothschild was entrusted with the recovery of the Lafite estate, leading programs to restore the vineyards and the buildings, as well as becoming an active participant in tasting events and the founding of a regional guild.

The recovery and renewal period at Chateau Lafite was continued by his nephew, Baron Eric de Rothschild, who made great strides forward in the management of the estate and in the replanting and restoration of the vineyards. He also extended the horizons of the Domaines through new acquisitions both in France and abroad.

This famous First Growth is often described as perfumed, elegant and delicate, and one of the finest wines in Bordeaux. According to Baron Eric de Rothschild, Chateau Lafite has a beautiful, generous, and kindly soul that turns bare earth into heaven. The blend for this grand vin varies from vintage to vintage, but is typically 80-95% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5-20% Merlot, with the balance from Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

The 2008 Lafite-Rothschild is a Bordeaux Blend from the renowned Pauillac region of Bordeaux, France. With its deep and alluring red color, this wine is a true beauty to behold. The nose is filled with enticing aromas of high-quality unsmoked cigar tobacco, lead pencil shavings, creme de cassis, earth, cedar, and asphalt. It is a complex and elegant bouquet that showcases the depth and sophistication of this wine.

On the palate, the 2008 Lafite-Rothschild is full, rich, and stunningly concentrated. It offers a remarkable complexity and breed that is truly captivating. The blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc creates a wine with a perfect balance of flavors. The wine is slightly more forward and less alcoholic than its counterpart from 2010, making it more approachable in its youth.

This wine has received high praise from wine critics. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave it a score of 98 points, calling it a "candidate for the wine of the vintage." Wine Spectator awarded it 92 points, noting its supple and harmonious nature. Wine Enthusiast gave it an impressive score of 97 points, praising its elegance and aging potential.

The 2008 Lafite-Rothschild has also been described as having a beautiful classic Pauillac nose, with pure blackberry, graphite, and sous-bois aromas. It has a very structured and complex palate, with fine and rigid tannins. The finish is persistent and sophisticated, showcasing the wine's exceptional quality.

This wine is still quite young, but it already displays remarkable complexity and breed. It is expected to age gracefully for 30-35 years, if not longer. It is recommended to cellar this wine for at least 6-10 years to fully appreciate its potential. However, if you can't resist the temptation, it can be enjoyed now with its remarkable depth, richness, and elegance.

In summary, the 2008 Lafite-Rothschild is a wine that represents the epitome of Bordeaux excellence. It is a wine that showcases the artistry and craftsmanship of the esteemed Lafite-Rothschild estate. With its rich flavors, complex aromas, and exceptional aging potential, it is a wine that any wine enthusiast should have in their cellar.