Château Lafite-Rothschild 2022

Noblesse oblige in this bouquet, immensely deep, often seeming cool, a fascinating interplay of fruit and minerality, violets, also citrus notes over red berries and cassis; a slender palate, dancingly light, almost Burgundian in character, yet compact, everything in perfect balance here, tannins of the finest quality, quietly composed, noble, and wonderfully long on the finish. A grand performance.

In bottle, the 2022 Lafite Rothschild has turned out even better than I anticipated. Wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet red berries, minty blackcurrants, violets and cigar box, it's medium to full-bodied, velvety and suave, with a deep, enveloping core of lively fruit, beautifully refined tannins, and a long, perfumed finish. Even at this early stage, it's remarkably integrated and harmonious, and it's certainly the most elegant of the first growths this year, reminding me of a modern-day version of Lafite's magical 1953.

Deep, dark and restrained, offering cool black fruit with hints of cocoa and sea-spray minerality. Poised and perfumed, it glides across the palate with Lafite’s signature elegance. Tannins gently frame the red fruit, achieving seamless balance. Subtle yet commanding, with layers of refinement, depth and completeness, and a minty, stony, crystalline purity. A masterpiece of understatement and precision. I love this wine. 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. Organic.

A benchmark modern Lafite showing tobacco, orange peel, cedar, pencil shavings, violets and cigar box—so perfumed. Medium-bodied with lots of graphite, stone and hints of redcurrants on the palate. It goes on for minutes. Reminds me of Lafites that I love made decades ago. Could be the great 1986. A blend of 94% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Best after 2030 but already fascinating.

The 2022 Lafite-Rothschild has a more marine-influenced nose with multidimensional black fruit, beautifully defined, with bunches of violet emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip, layers of black fruit, intense and yet remarkably light on its feet, with a long, mineral-driven finish. Stunning. One of the great vintages in recent years, a First Growth that will mature over decades. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting in London.

Aromatically, the wine opens with flowers, black and red currants, crème de cassis, blackberries, cigar box, licorice, and an array of spices. Silky, sensuous, refined, and elegant, it is powerful yet also light on its feet. There is length, expansiveness, freshness, and layers of refined fruits that coat your palate. The finish seamlessly builds as it lingers for close to 60 seconds. This is bottled silky elegance that can be enjoyed starting at 10 years of age, coupled with serious aging potential, as I am positive it will be fabulous at 50 years of age or longer! The wine blends 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, with 17.5% press wine. 13.6% ABV. This is an earth-shattering vintage of Lafite that buyers with the disposable income should add to their cellars. Drink from 2030-2065.

Dark ruby in colour with an opaque core, purple reflections, and subtle brightening on the rim. On the nuanced, multi-faceted nose, aromas of fresh cassis and black cherry nuances, almost floral, rose petal hints and a touch of fine oak and a delicate hint of tangerine zest. The palate is full-bodied, elegant and very polished (in a positive sense), with the finest tannins, subtle fruit, good freshness, convincing with finesse and balance, and enormous length, with the potential to age for decades, already incredibly seductive today, a nimble food wine in a class of its own. (1/2025, +50, PM).

Saturated inky colour, with intense ruby reflections. This is a classically constructed Lafite, with clear power to the tannins and intense spice, a little more upfront and concentrated than you find in many En Primeur vintages at this property but it exemplifies balance and confidence. Fully in control, delivering estate signature with finesse and understatement, with pulses of graphite, slate, bitter almond and cocoa bean. Takes its time to uncurl in the glass, leaving you plenty of time to admire its architecture. Give it a good decade at least. 17.5% of press wine, 3.85ph, 41% Lafite of overall production. Harvest August 31 to September 24, earliest since 1893. 100% new oak, Eric Kohler techincal director. Potential upscore in bottle.

On the nose, an enchanting aroma fills the mind with immersive softness, like a hedonistic form of pranayama. From the first sip, the wine unfurls on the palate with striking breadth, enveloping the whole body. Powerful yet delicate, it shifts between caressing sweetness and mouthwatering freshness. Slow waves of fruit, sap, salt and incense stretch out with majesty. Every slightest nuance melts into a harmonious whole, gliding over the tongue with infinite languor.

The freshness heralded by Carruades is not merely endorsed by Lafite, but literally energized, with striking clarity, uncompromising and precise. Seeking balance, the bouquet even reveals unbelievable candied nuances to create an exceptional symbiosis. The depth suggested by the bouquet is perfectly absorbed by the palate. The wine positions itself with finesse and serenity from the very first attack. Aware of its vigor, the wine first displays some tannins that underscore their power, without it becoming overbearing, though we almost tip to the dark side! In the end, it is reason—indeed finesse, detail, and precision—that leads the dance and gives birth to a truly great Lafite Rothschild. It has always revealed itself slowly—nothing new—but it does so in a relaxed manner, with confidence and persuasion. The dry extract of the tannins ideally holds the line; they provide structure and freshness and go hand in hand with the temperament of a keenly honed acid structure, even if there is ultimately not much of it. A fine and subtle austerity thus sets the palate salivating and stretches the persistence of the finish. A wine of exceptional stature.

Beautiful, elegant nose—airy, deep, intense, perfectly controlled and finely bred. The wine benefits from decanting. Superb delicacy and finesse within its intensity. Notes of Boysenberry, vibrant blackcurrant, and subtler cornflower are joined by touches of lilac. The palate is beautifully guided: supple, fresh, airy, melodious, beguiling, deep, delicate, vibrant, with a lovely texture. An enchanting, “come find me” appeal. On the palate, it delivers notes of juicy/fresh blackcurrant, bright/fresh cherry, and, more subtly, shiny red berries, with touches of racy minerality, juicy/fresh purple plum, shiny/juicy red berries, and discreet hints of chocolate. The tannins are plush, gourmand, and elegant. Good length and superb persistence. Fabulous brightness. A superbly airy character within its richness and power.

Black color. Intense, delicate, fruity, subtle, noble, cocoa-tinged and very distinguished nose. Sophisticated from the first sip, with graceful texture; the wine melts on the palate—opulent, subtle, and at the same time complex. Very, very long noble finish, powerful yet airy. An angel passes! Oh my, impossible to spit! Blend: 94% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot, 1% petit verdot. Alcohol: 13.7% (above average, 13.3% in 2018). pH: 3.85. Yield: 38 hl/ha.

The 2022 Château Lafite-Rothschild is based on 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot that was harvested between the 31st of August and the 24th of September. Just sensational in its power while remaining weightless, it offers utterly classic Lafite aromatics of crème de cassis, freshly sharpened lead pencils, spring flowers, and graphite. Full-bodied, concentrated, and seamless on the palate, it has a multi-dimensional mouthfeel, off-the-charts purity, and a finish that won’t quit. It’s shockingly accessible, yet there’s no shortage of structure, depth, or concentration. Aged in new French oak barrels, this is a monumental Lafite that should evolve for 50-75+ years. If this doesn’t do it for you, I can’t imagine what would.

This is a magnificent wine with a dark chocolate aroma and great complexity and density. Its power and solid tannins along with black plum flavors are long-lasting as will be the wine. Drink from 2029.