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Date Printed: 11/25/2009
Château Lafite-Rothschild  2005
Château Lafite-Rothschild 2005

(search item no. 94582)
collectible wine

Wine Enthusiast rating: 99 points
Wine & Spirits rating: 98 points
PRICE ON 11/25/2009: $999.00

ratings pedigree (past vintages):
2006 The Wine Advocate rating: 97 points
2006 Wine Enthusiast rating: 96 points
2006 Wine Spectator rating: 95 points
2004 The Wine Advocate rating: 95 points
2004 Wine & Spirits rating: 95 points
2004 Wine Spectator rating: 93 points
2004 International Wine Cellar rating: 93 points
2003 The Wine Advocate rating: 100 points
2003 Wine Spectator rating: 96 points
2002 Wine Spectator rating: 95 points
2002 The Wine Advocate rating: 94 points
2001 Wine Spectator rating: 96 points
2001 The Wine Advocate rating: 94 points
2000 Wine Spectator rating: 100 points
2000 The Wine Advocate rating: 100 points
1999 Wine Spectator rating: 95 points
1999 The Wine Advocate rating: 95 points
1999 International Wine Cellar rating: 91 points
1998 The Wine Advocate rating: 98 points
1998 International Wine Cellar rating: 94 points
1997 Wine & Spirits rating: 94 points
1996 The Wine Advocate rating: 100 points
1996 Wine Spectator rating: 96 points
1982 The Wine Advocate rating: 100 points

Winemaker's Notes:

2005 was the fourth consecutive year to have a deficit in rainfall, but the drought began very early, at the end of May, which allowed the vine to adapt itself by reducing its leaves. The very hot weather in June and July gave way to progressively cooler weather in August and the cool nights allowed good acidity levels to be maintained, resulting in slow steady ripening. A year of atypical weather but in the end ideal for the production of healthy, very ripe grapes with wonderful freshness.

Deep color. An intense, delicate, subtle and complex nose. Very neat and regular on the palate upon attack leading to volume and a nicely round structure. Immensely powerful, great length, density and elegance.

My Notes:

About Château Lafite-Rothschild:

Château Lafite-Rothschild is perhaps the most famous wine label in the world. The estate achieved wide popularity in the 1750s when it became the favorite wine of King Louis XV. Thomas Jefferson was also a steadfast customer and even visited the estate.

In 1868, Baron James de Rothschild became the owner of Lafite. He was a born dilettante, and it suited him to be the master of what, in 1855, was classified as first among the great wines of Médoc. Today, Baron Eric de Rothschild presides over this most famous Bordeaux estate.