Tasting Notes
Robert Parker 100
The 2003 Lafite Rothschild comes as close to perfection as any of the great Lafites made over the past three decades (1982, 1986, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010). This sensational effort came in at 12.7% natural alcohol, it is made in the style of one of this estate’s great classics, the 1959. Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color to the rim along with a luxurious bouquet of cedarwood, lead pencil shaving, white chocolate, cocoa and cassis. Fat, rich, opulent and full-bodied with low acidity and stunning seductiveness and complexity, this noble wine possesses a bountiful, generous, heady style. It is just coming into its plateau of maturity where it should hold for 20-25 years. This is one of the candidates for the wine of the vintage ” make no mistake about that. These are two great successes in this vintage that have aged well and surprised me by their intensity and overall complexity.
Anticipated maturity: 2014-2039
Vinous 93+
Full red-ruby color. Captivating aromas of cassis, cherry, tobacco, mocha, coffee and leather, with a complicating element of dried oregano and thyme. At once silky and penetrating in the mouth, with very firm acids for the vintage giving shape and thrust to the dense flavors of currant, tobacco and iodine. Finishes with broad, dusty tannins and superb persistence. Although this appears to be built for two or three decades of life in bottle, I miss the primary fruit character and the mineral and floral high notes of the more classic vintages of this wine.
JancisRobinson.com 17.0
Deep smudgy garnet. Aromas of sweet fruit and spice and a touch of mocha. Some dark toffee and liquorice too over the plummy fruit. Texture drier than I expect but not out of balance. Some grip but the fruit is there to balance. Perhaps just starting to dry a little on the finish. It might live longer but I think the pleasure is to be had sooner rather than later. (JH)
Anticipated maturity: 2010-2016
