The 2020 Lafite-Rothschild Bordeaux Blend is a highly acclaimed wine from the Pauillac region of Bordeaux, France. It is composed of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, and it features an alcohol content of 13.0%. This vintage has received remarkable reviews from various esteemed wine critics, highlighting its exceptional quality and potential for aging.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it a score of 97, describing the wine as having a "deep bouquet of cassis, black truffle, pencil shavings and violets." Reviewer William Kelley emphasized its "full-bodied, fleshy and layered" nature with "supple, melting tannins" and noted that the wine's high pH of 3.94 suggests it will maintain its character over time.
Decanter rated the 2020 Lafite-Rothschild at an impressive 99 points, praising its "understated charm" and "delicacy and refinement." The review highlighted an "incredible aromatic display with ripe black fruits, pepper, liquorice and crushed stones" and commended its "beautiful tannin integration and a chalky, salinity on the finish."
James Suckling gave the wine a perfect score of 100 points, calling it "rather ethereal and so refined with finesse, focus and brightness." He mentioned its "ultra fine tannins that go on and on" and its "lots of dark fruit and fresh tobacco" notes, asserting that it has "incredible energy and pedigree."
Jeff Leve also rated it highly, with a score of 99 points, noting the wine's "compelling nose" and "pure silk" texture. He described it as "fresh, bright, long and intense," with a "purity in the fruit" that lingers for over 50 seconds. Leve also highlighted the wine's potential for aging, suggesting it will be one of the great vintages for Lafite-Rothschild.
Jeb Dunnuck joined in the accolades, awarding another perfect score of 100 points. He described the wine as "a sensational effort" and "ultra-classic," with "perfect tannins" and a finish that "leaves you salivating." Dunnuck noted that it might require 15 years to reach its prime drinking window but could potentially last a century.
Vinous rated the wine at 98 points, calling it a "quintessential Lafite-Rothschild" with "wonderful delineation" and a "medium-bodied" palate. Wine Enthusiast also gave it a perfect score, stating that it is "magnificent" with "great concentration" and "elegance."
Overall, the 2020 Lafite-Rothschild Bordeaux Blend is a wine of exceptional quality, praised for its complexity, elegance, and aging potential. With multiple near-perfect scores from renowned reviewers, it stands as a remarkable example of Lafite-Rothschild's winemaking prowess.