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 2021 Lafite-Rothschild Bordeaux Blend, a product of esteemed producer Lafite-Rothschild, hails from the Pauillac sub-region of Bordeaux, France. This red wine, sealed with a cork and exhibiting an alcohol content of 12.5%, has garnered significant praise from a range of professional wine reviewers, establishing itself as a standout of its vintage.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this wine a score of 96, with reviewer William Kelley describing it as the "finest of the Pauillac first growths this year." Kelley highlights the wine's "aromas of dark minty berries mingled with notions of iris, licorice, and cigar box," and commends its "elegantly dense and structured mid-palate."

Jane Anson from janeanson.com also rated the wine at 96, stating it is "one of the wines of the vintage." Anson notes the wine's "grip and character, laced with slate, graceful cool blue and black fruit," and emphasizes its "finessed tannins" and "waves of sage, licorice root, cloves, and forest floor." She remarks on the wine's long-ageing potential and its first year of organic conversion.

Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com gave the wine an impressive 98 points, applauding its "pure expression of red fruits, black cherries, spice, and a touch of orange rind." He describes the wine as "elegant, regal, and classic," noting its composition of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot.

Jeb Dunnuck, rating it 94, describes it as a "classic expression of this Château," with "red and black currant fruit as well as cedar pencil, ripe tobacco, graphite, and spicy nuances." Dunnuck believes it "should round into form with 4-6 years of bottle age" and offers "30 years or more of prime drinking."

James Suckling also awarded the wine 98 points, highlighting its "polished and refined" structure, "firm, fine and linear tannin structure," and "precise layers of black fruit, minerals, and pencil lead." He calls it "very classy" with a "fine-velvet texture."

Decanter magazine, scoring it 97, describes the wine as "vibrant and explosive," with "graphite, black chocolate, black pepper, and blackcurrant aromas." Decanter praises its "energy and acidity" and "real refinement and elegance."

Vinous, with a score of 97, notes the wine's "dark, racy and full of Lafite sensuality," and emphasizes its "dark red/purplish fruit, mint, lavender, and rose petal."

Wine Enthusiast, rating it 98, commends its "beautiful black currant notes" and "serious core of tannins," predicting long-term aging potential.

Finally, The Wine Independent, giving it 95 points, highlights its "deep garnet-purple color" and "electric black and red berry flavors," with "super-fine-grained Lafite tannins."

In summary, the 2021 Lafite-Rothschild Bordeaux Blend is a highly acclaimed wine, noted for its elegance, complexity, and potential for long-term aging, with several reviewers considering it one of the top wines of its vintage.