Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2012

Professional Ratings

• 96 Wine Enthusiast
  Showing the serious side of Lafite, this is big and dark, powered by tannins as much as fruit. The wood aging is still showing, although that will integrate into the great structure that holds up the ripe black currant fruits. Totally dominated by some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux, this wine has strength while also having great freshness. Drink from 2024.
• 95 James Suckling
  Superb structure for the vintage with blackcurrants, cedar, mushroom and sweet tobacco character. Full-bodied yet reserved and tight with an impressive density. Long finish. Better in 2020.
• 94 Wine Spectator
  This has a dark, smoky edge from the start, with smoldering tobacco and grilled savory notes lining the core of steeped plum, macerated black currant and lightly mulled cherry fruit. Shows a loamy, smoky edge to the finish, with the tobacco hint peeking out. Features admirable range, depth and grip, with just a twinge of the vintage's austerity lurking. Best from 2018 through 2030.
• 94 Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
  With the threat of botrytis—the noble rot responsible for some of the world's greatest dessert wines, but not particularly favorable in red wines—sorting became paramount in 2012, and that is where the history and the experience of the Lafite team came in handy. The winery comments, "Protection against disease was not easy; winegrowers and vineyard managers needed to apply all of their skill and experience. At the end of August, in the beautiful weather, we observed the onset of uneven ripening, which made it difficult to decide which plots to harvest first." The 2012 Château Lafite Rothschild exhibits bright red and black currants, with some mineral notes, and youthful oak. Time will settle this wine down, and it should reach its equilibrium as it approaches a decade in the cellar. (Tasted: April 15, 2013, Pauillac, France) Barrel Sample: 92-94
• 91 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  The 2012 Lafite Rothschild, representing only 38% of their total production, is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance mostly Merlot. It is a very stylish, elegant, yet concentrated Lafite Rothschild with an opaque ruby/purple color, soft well-integrated tannins, nice integrated oak, acidity and alcohol. Lafites’s 2012 reveals good, opaque, ruby/purple color and plenty of lead pencil and blackcurrant fruit. The wine is medium-bodied and should hit its prime 2020-2035.