CH.LAFITE ROTHSCHILD PAUILLAC 2003 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 2003 growing season in Bordeaux was defined by extreme heat and drought, one of the hottest summers in a century. A mild, wet spring spurred early bud break, but temperatures soared from June through August, with minimal rainfall stressing the vines. The 2003 Château Lafite Rothschild is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. The high Cabernet Sauvignon proportion reflects Lafite’s terroir and ability to maintain structure despite the heat.

TASTING NOTE:

The 2003 Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac is a luxurious, hedonistic wine that captures the vintage’s intensity while retaining Lafite’s finesse. It’s a standout for immediate enjoyment or further cellaring. Deep ruby in youth, now a garnet hue with brick edges. Opulent and exotic, with ripe blackberry, cassis, and plum, layered with graphite, spice (licorice, cedar), and hints of roasted coffee, leather, and truffle. The heatwave adds a jammy, almost Port-like richness. Full-bodied and lush, with soft, velvety tannins, lower acidity, and concentrated, ripe fruit. It offers a core of dark berries, spice, and graphite, with a round, voluptuous texture and a long, warm finish. Critics note its “hedonistic” charm and “surprising freshness” despite the vintage’s heat. Drinking well now, it’s at a mature peak but can hold through 2035–2040 for well-stored bottles, though it lacks the structure of cooler vintages like 2000 or 2010.