Chateau Lafite-Rothschild (Futures Pre-sale) 2010

"This exceptionally rich, thick Lafite came in with the highest level of natural alcohol (13.5%) ever achieved at Lafite Rothschild. To put that in its proper context, the 2009 and 2005 were 13.3% and in the hottest Bordeaux summer ever recorded in over 200 years, the 2003 achieved 12.8%. A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot, all harvested between October 9 and 14, the 2010 exhibits an extraordinarily dense color, an unctuous texture and sweet black currant fruit intermixed with graphite, charcoal and truffle notes. A director Charles Chevalier told me, between July and the October harvest, Bordeaux had its driest weather since 1949, but it never got excessively hot. Hence the tiny berries, freshness and extraordinary precision of Lafite Rothschild. This superb effort will undoubtedly shut down slightly once it is bottled despite a pH of 3.8. It needs no building up because much of Lafite Rothschild has now become an obsession with the wealthy Chinese and most of it will undoubtedly be consumed before it ever hits its prime. Ideally, it should be cellared for 10-15 years and drunk over the following 50+ years.
Barrel Sample: 98-100 Points "

100 Points

The Wine Advocate

"Believe the hype. Lafite is perfect in 2010. The nose is amazing with sweet tobacco, dark chocolate and currants. It is amazing. It’s like gazing into the blue sky in wonder after tasting this young wine. Full and powerful with amazing minerals, currants and bitter chocolate. It starts off slowly and then finishes with a bang. This is really layered and wonderful. It goes on and on. Stunning.
Barrel Sample: 100 Points "

100 Points

James Suckling

"This is all guile and elegance now, with sleek, perfumy black tea, currant and crushed fig fruit, laced with subtle smoke, incense and tar. Just as you think it starts to fade, the acidity kicks in on the finish and brings everything back for an encore.
Barrel Sample: 96-99 Points "

99 Points

Wine Spectator

"Deep ruby-red. The deep, intense nose is a bit more forward than usual for Lafite, displaying classic, pure aromas of cassis, cedar and graphite. Enters the mouth beautifully pure and fresh, with laser-like precision to its deceptively light blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar and mineral flavors. The exceptionally refined tannins give this wine an utterly seamless quality on the pure, extremely long, mineral-driven finish. Though it will be drinking well sooner than usual, this truly remarkable wine will be enjoyed by your grandchildren as well. Is it lacking just a bit of flesh to reach a perfect score? This may yet turn out to be the wine of the vintage, and is an archetypical expression of the unique characteristics of great Bordeaux cabernet sauvignon.
Barrel Sample: 96-99 Points "

99 Points

International Wine Cellar

"Very dense, a muscular wine, very concentrated. It has a superb texture of velvet, while still keeping an abundance of dry tannins. There is power here, solid and dense structure, but there are also bright fruits. Vivid, concentrated.
Barrel Sample: 96-98 Points "

98 Points

Wine Enthusiast