The 2022 Lafite-Rothschild is a Bordeaux Blend from the Pauillac sub-region in Bordeaux, France. This red wine, produced by the renowned Lafite-Rothschild, showcases a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. It has garnered significant praise from various esteemed wine reviewers.
Jeff Leve from TheWineCellarInsider.com gave it a perfect score, describing it as "perhaps the most sensuous vintage of Lafite ever produced." He commended its "pure silky elegance in texture" and "striking purity in the fruits," noting the wine's seamless 60-second finish. Leve also highlighted that this vintage includes a record-setting 17.5% press wine in the blend and achieves an ABV of 13.6% with a pH of 3.85. He recommends drinking it from 2030 to 2065.
Jeb Dunnuck awarded it 99 points, calling it "one of the most powerful, concentrated Lafites" he's tasted. He praised its deep, full-bodied profile and classic Lafite aromatics, including spicy red and black fruits, graphite, and tobacco. Dunnuck notes that while it has immediate appeal, it will benefit from a decade of aging.
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate rated it 97 points, appreciating its "layered, concentrated but youthfully introverted mid-palate" and "long, saline finish." William Kelley noted its high pH of 3.85 and described it as "the most tensile of the first growths this year."
James Suckling also gave it a perfect score, likening it to the 1986 vintage for its "blackcurrant and tobacco character with cedar and hazelnut." He praised its "purity and precision" and remarked that it exemplifies the elegance and strength of Lafite's terroir.
Jane Anson awarded it 97 points, noting its "classically constructed" nature with "clear power to the tannins and intense spice." She stated that it takes time to uncurl in the glass, allowing admirers to appreciate its architecture.
Neal Martin from Vinous gave it 98 points, describing it as "medium-bodied with pliant tannins, perfectly judged acidity, linear and focused." He emphasized its classicism and transparency, suggesting its long-term potential.
Decanter also rated it 98 points, appreciating its "restraint and delicacy" in a challenging year. The review highlighted its "fine tapestry of tannins" and "beautiful texture," calling it "calm, collected and incredibly charming."
Finally, The Wine Independent awarded it a perfect score, praising its "tight-knit layers of black fruits, minerals, and floral notes" and its "rock-solid structure of exquisitely fine, very firm tannins." The publication advised against touching it for 10-15 years, noting its epic length and depth.
Overall, the 2022 Lafite-Rothschild is a highly acclaimed vintage, celebrated for its elegance, power, and long-term aging potential.