Château Lafite Rothschild 2018

Critic scores

• Wine Advocate100
• James Suckling99-100
• Wine Enthusiast100
• Vinous98
• Jeb Dunnuck98
• Decanter98
• Wine Spectator97

The 2018 vintage in Pauillac

Vintage benchmark: 95/100 (appellation benchmark, not a score for this wine)

Vintage character: After a spring marked by mildew, the heat concentrated a small crop: rich, ripe wines with great depth of material.

Overall reading of the year’s season across Pauillac. An estate can depart from it sharply, in frost or hail years, where two neighbours did not make the same vintage. What this particular wine actually gave is on its technical sheet and in the scores above.

Tasting

Dark color with a purple reflection expressing a beautiful shine. The nose still remains very discreet but reveals great depth. Aromas of black fruits, red fruits and cedar specific to Lafite wines then appear. On the palate the attack is impressive thanks to a remarkable blend which expresses all its harmony and power in a long and fresh finish. In this very atypical year, Lafite was able to show all its potential while maintaining its balance and elegance.

Blend of the 2018 vintage

Figures from the 2018 sheet

• 46 hl/haYield
• 200,000 bottlesProduction

Winemaking

The maceration duration varies depending on each tank, but is generally around 20 days. Following malolactic fermentation, the wines are barreled into French oak barrels. Lafite has its own cooperage in Pauillac, a factor which contributes to its unique style.

Ageing

Each barrel is tasted individually and only the best are selected for the final blend. The wine is then aged in new oak barrels for 15 months.

Terroir

The vineyard comprises three main areas: the slopes around the Château, the Carruades plateau adjoining it to the west, and a 4.5 ha parcel in the neighbouring commune of Saint Estèphe. The vineyard covers 112 ha of fine, deep gravel soils mixed with aeolian sands over a Tertiary limestone subsoil, well drained and well exposed. The grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (2%). The average age of the vines is 38 years overall, but it should be noted that vines under 10 years old (20 ha) do not go into the grand vin, so that the average age of the vines contributing to the grand vin is closer to 45 years. The oldest parcel, known as « La Gravière », was planted in 1886.