Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2003

Classification	Premier Cru Classe
Type	Red
Producer	Chateau Lafite Rothschild
Vintage	2003
Country	France
Main region	Bordeaux
Region	Pauillac
Grape	Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bordeaux Blend
Volume	0,75
Condition	Perfect
Label	Perfect
Drinkable	2010-2050
Stock	0
Volume	0,75
Condition	Perfect
Label	Bin stained
Drinkable	2010-2050
Stock	0
Volume	1,5
Condition	Perfect
Label	Perfect
Drinkable	2010-2050
Stock	0
Volume	6,0
Condition	In Original Wooden Case
Label	Perfect
Drinkable	2010-2050
Stock	0

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (100)

A modern day version of the 1959 Lafite, the 2003 Lafite Rothschild was bottled in mid-May, 2005 after achieving 12.9% natural alcohol – hardly an astonishing figure given the vintage’s weather conditions. A combination of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, it represents a ripe version of the essence of Lafite-Rothschild. Dense purple-colored, with classic notes of graphite intertwined with melted licorice, creme de cassis, smoke, and flowers, it reveals extraordinary richness, opulence, power, purity, intensity, and viscosity. Whether this wine will close down or not is questionable as it is somewhat atypical given its sweetness and softness. Analytically, there are extremely high tannins, which I suspect will assert themselves in the future. Production in 2003 was less than half of normal. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2050.

James Suckling (98)

Spicy and rich, with a tobacco and berry character on the nose and palate I love the nose. Full bodied, with soft velvety tannins that give you so much. This goes on and on. Sexy and exciting right now, but leave this for five or six years. Find the wine

Jancis Robinson (18)

Dark crimson. Quite severe and obviously left bank. Strong cassis aromas. A sweet start on the palate. Fine, polished, very classy wine. Obviously elegant and extremely fresh on the finish. Excellent lift with very finely etched flavours. A prime example of how unlike the great majority of 2003 red bordeaux the best of those grown in Pauillac and St-Estèphe are. (JR)

Rene Gabriel (20)

Rene Gabriel rates this wine 20/20 points.

Falstaff (99)

Dunkles Rubingranat, tiefer Farbkern, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Süße, anziehende Röstaromen, exotische Holznuancen, Anklänge von Zedern, Vanille, Kaffee, Lakritze, dazu Cassis und kandierte Veilchen. Am Gaumen stoffige Textur, dunkle Beerenfrucht, präsente, aber seidige Tannine, finessenreich strukturiert, ein hocheleganter Wein voll von jugendlichem Charme, angenehme Karamellnoten im Abgang, gewaltige Länge, bereits sehr einladend, kann noch zulegen. Peter Moser