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Lafite Rothschild 2013

RegionBordeaux
Subregion France > Bordeaux > Left Bank > Pauillac
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Château Lafite Rothschild

Label

Tasting Notes

Only one-third of the tiny 2013 crop made it into the 2013 Lafite Rothschild, which may be the lowest rated Lafite produced in the last twenty years. Composed of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot, only the 1994 (99% Cabernet Sauvignon) and 1961 (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) had higher percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon in the final blend. The 2013 possesses a dark ruby color, but it does not reveal much of the Lafite Rothschild character in the aromatics or flavors. Elegant, with dark cherry fruit interwoven with underbrush and damp wood-like notes, it narrows in the mouth, and while it is above-average, possibly even excellent, it is hardly an inspiring wine. At its price point, it is a major underachiever in this vintage.

87/89
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (214), August 2014

The 2013 Lafite-Rothschild is a blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and just 2% Merlot. It has a straightforward, focused, undergrowth and tobacco-scented bouquet, nicely defined if perhaps missing the complexity and nuance of recent vintages. The palate is supple on the entry with notes of tart cherry, wild strawberry and a touch of graphite. It is certainly approachable for Lafite-Rothschild, balanced, though missing structure and density towards the sappy finish. It is a lightweight Lafite-Rothschild that does improve with aeration as it did in barrel, yet it never scales the heights of the greatest vintages from this First Growth.

90
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com (227), October 2016

The aromas of Lafite in 2013 are complex and fascinating with cigar box, Spanish cedar, and dark fruit. Hints of hot stone. Full body, chewy tannins yet very polished and refined. Solid density on the palate. Very long and impressive. This needs three to five years to open. Very impressive for the vintage.

95
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2016
95
Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2014
Read more tasting notes...

The Grand Vin is a blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot. The latter was apparently difficult to assimilate with the Cabernet, gradually adding 1% at a time and finally, electing 2% as the optimal amount. As usual, I spent 10+ minutes with my sample, as it is never as immediate as say, Latour or Château Margaux. It has an elegant bouquet with a fine violet scent that became more accentuated with time. There is plenty of dark cherry and blackcurrant fruit, a touch of pencil shavings that becomes more pronounced with aeration. The palate is a little austere because of the dominance of the Cabernet Sauvignon, although that 2% Merlot does take the edge off the finish, rounding out any edges. The aftertaste has that attractive saline tincture, but here a little spicier and longer than its peers. This is a traditional Pauillac; a success for the vintage and a wine that I think will improve in bottle rather than in barrel. A steadfast Lafite. Tasted April 2014.

91/93
Neal Martin, RobertParker.com, April 2014

This is exceptionally high in cabernet sauvignon at 98% with only 2% merlot. It shows aromas of black currants and flowers and cigar box. It's full body, with fine tannins and a long finish. It's subtle and polished.

92/93
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, April 2014
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.