Wines

The 1996 Château Lafite Rothschild is comprised of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It was a complicated vintage from which only 38% of the crop was deemed of sufficient quality for use in the final blend but the result is spectacular. It is an extremely powerful and imposingly tannic Lafite that is only just beginning to emerge into its prime drinking phase but, with significant decanting, unfurls to reveal crisply defined and complex fruits, with delicious savoury nuances. Undoubtedly a long-haul proposition, this has at least another two decades of potential longevity and will surely only get better.

The Lafite Rothschild 1996 is a quintessential example of a top-tier Bordeaux red wine, embodying elegance, complexity, and aging potential. This vintage is celebrated for its perfect harmony, featuring a deep, layered bouquet of black fruits, cedar, and spices, alongside a structure that promises further development over decades. This vintage offers profound aromas of blackcurrant, cedar wood, violets, and leather, underpinned by a well-integrated tannin structure that provides both balance and the promise for longevity. The palate is rewarded with complex layers of dark fruits, tobacco, and graphite, leading to a lingering and refined finish.

The Lafite Rothschild collection is known for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, often considered among the best in the world. Each vintage reflects the unique character of its respective year.

Château Lafite Rothschild is one of the most prestigious wine estates in Bordeaux, France. Located in the Pauillac appellation of the Médoc region, Château Lafite Rothschild has a long and storied history dating back several centuries. The estate's history can be traced back to the 17th century when it came under the ownership of the Ségur family. It was known as Domaine de Lafite at the time. Over the years, the estate changed hands several times before being acquired by the Rothschild family in 1868. Under the ownership of the Rothschilds, Château Lafite Rothschild underwent significant improvements and modernization. The estate's vineyards, which cover around 112 hectares (about 277 acres), are planted primarily with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes. Château Lafite Rothschild produces several wines, with its Grand Vin being the most renowned and sought-after. The Grand Vin of Château Lafite Rothschild is known for its elegance, finesse, and aging potential. It typically exhibits flavors of cassis, cedar, graphite, and tobacco, with silky tannins and a long, persistent finish. Château Lafite Rothschild is classified as a First Growth (Premier Cru) in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855, a testament to its exceptional quality and historical significance. It is considered one of the crown jewels of Bordeaux winemaking, alongside other prestigious estates such as Château Margaux, Château Latour, Château Haut-Brion, and Château Mouton Rothschild. The wines of Château Lafite Rothschild are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide, commanding premium prices at auctions and on the fine wine market. The estate's long-standing reputation for producing some of the finest wines in Bordeaux has solidified its status as one of the most esteemed wine producers in the world.