CH.LAFITE ROTHSCHILD PAUILLAC 1996 750ml

ABOUT THE WINE

Château Lafite Rothschild has been owned by the Rothschild family since 1868, when Baron James de Rothschild purchased it. Today, it’s managed by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (DBR) under Saskia de Rothschild, with Technical Director Eric Kohler overseeing production since 2016. Lafite is celebrated for its refined, aristocratic style, often described as the most elegant of the First Growths. It’s a benchmark for Pauillac, blending power with subtlety, and commands some of the highest prices in the wine world. The 1996 growing season in Bordeaux was exceptional for Pauillac and the Médoc. A cool, wet spring delayed bud break, but a warm, dry summer with well-timed rain allowed for steady ripening. The 1996 Château Lafite Rothschild is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. The high Cabernet Sauvignon proportion reflects the vintage’s strength and Lafite’s terroir-driven style.

TASTING NOTE:

The 1996 Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac is a monumental wine, blending power, finesse, and longevity in a way that cements its status as a First Growth legend. It’s a treasure for current enjoyment or further cellaring. Deep ruby in youth, now evolved to a garnet-brick hue with slight tawny edges. Complex and refined, with blackberry, cassis, and graphite, layered with violets, spice (cedar, tobacco), leather, and earthy truffle notes. Mineral and pencil-lead aromas are prominent, a hallmark of Lafite. Full-bodied yet elegant, with firm, polished tannins, vibrant acidity, and concentrated fruit that has softened into a harmonious texture. It offers a core of dark fruit, graphite, and spice, unfolding with a silky mid-palate and a long, mineral-driven finish. Critics note its “aristocratic” restraint and “stunning depth.” Drinking beautifully now, it’s at a mature plateau but can evolve through 2040–2050 for well-stored bottles, gaining further complexity.