Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2020

Chateau Lafite Rothschild is one of the world's most iconic Bordeaux wines, celebrated for its extraordinary elegance, precision, and longevity. Aromas of blackcurrant, cassis, cedar, graphite, violet, cigar box, and fine spice unfold into a seamless palate with silky tannins, exceptional depth, and a remarkably persistent finish.

Food Pairing: Pair with beef Wellington, roast lamb, venison, duck breast, truffle dishes, or aged Comte for an unforgettable First Growth Bordeaux experience.

100 Points - Jeb Dunnuck

Looking at the Grand Vin, the 2020 Château Lafite Rothschild is a sensational effort, checking in as 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, reaching 12.8% natural alcohol with a pH of 3.94. As Lafite as Lafite gets, this ultra-classic reveals a dense ruby-plum hue as well as a tight, yet layered bouquet of ripe black currants, smoked tobacco, freshly sharpened pencils, graphite and subtle spice. Flawlessly balanced, deep, concentrated and layered, it has an incredible mid-palate, building, perfect tannins and a finish that leaves you salivating. Refined, elegant and perfection are the buzzwords here. Unfortunately, it's not for the instant gratification crowd, and I wouldn't be surprised to see this require 15 years to hit the early stages of its prime drinking window. It will probably reach its 100th birthday in fine form. Best after 2038.

100 Points - James Suckling

Amazing aromas here with tobacco, crushed stone, cigar box, currants, tar and lead pencil, as well as spices, iron and dried ginger. Medium- to full-bodied, with remarkable density and tightness. Very compact and complex. Racy. Delicacy with strength. Orange peel undertones. A wine to contemplate. You must understand it to understand the great Lafites of the past and those of the future. Only 12.8% alcohol. 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. Best after 2030, but drink it if you have the chance to taste it.

100 Points - Wine Enthusiast

Structured, dense and with great concentration, this wine is magnificent. Its black fruits and density indicate the power of the wine and its longevity. At the same time, the wine has the elegance that is always associated with this estate. Drink from 2028.

97 Points - Decanter

This is pretty much as close to entirely Cabernet Sauvignon as Bordeaux gets (92%), and yet it has an incredibly fine, gentle richness to the tannins. They build up pretty quickly though, so that by the end of the palate you start to feel the closing in and tightening, deftly underscoring how well this will age. The kaleidoscope of flavours and aromatics that Lafite does so well is fully on display, with nothing trying too hard. A velvet texture to the tannins allows cassis fruit, earth, crushed stone and graphite to remain beautifully integrated from beginning to end. Impressive that even in dry vintages like 2020, with the real concerns over global warming, the top Bordeaux estates can still produce wines of this quality.

97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2020 Château Lafite Rothschild opens in the glass with a deep bouquet of cassis, black truffle, pencil shavings and violets. Full-bodied, fleshy and layered, its broad attack segues into an ample core of fruit framed by supple, melting tannins. Seamless, layered and complete, it's richer and deeper pitched than the 2019, and its notably high pH of 3.94 likely means it will never shut down. It's a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, incorporating just a touch more Merlot from the plateau of Carruades than the 2019. Best after 2027.