Bordeaux 2015 En Primeur Releases – 20th June

As the campaign draws to a close, Château Lafite releases their 2015 @ £4,350.00 IB per case, which represents circa 20% decrease against the ‘06, ‘07 and 2008 vintages and £2,000.00 per case cheaper than the ‘05, ‘09 and 2010 vintages.

97-98 James Suckling “Here is a Lafite with lots of muscle and tone. Very tannic and velvety textured. Full body, fresh acidity and a bright finish. Shows a tenderness at the end. Gorgeous”.

94-97 Antonio Galloni “A dramatic, ample Lafite, the 2015 is also arrestingly beautiful and vivid. Expressive floral notes give the dark red and black flavors gorgeous aromatic lift. Today, the new oak is a bit pronounced, but otherwise, this is an exceptional wine. Rose petal, lavender, mint and purplish stone fruits add the last shades of detail”.

94-96 Neal Martin “The 2015 Lafite-Rothschild is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot picked between 17 September and 6 October. Matured in 100% new oak, it has a tightly-wound bouquet with black cherries, cassis, cedar and graphite, though it does not quite possess the depth one would have expected the vintage would have bestowed. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, harmonious on the entry and with the oak neatly integrated. There is a very fine grip towards the finish, which has a tangible spicy edge – white pepper with a touch of bay leaf and enough pencil lead to fill a stationery set. The aftertaste is extremely long here, more than a minute when I timed it on my watch. It is an excellent Lafite-Rothschild in the making and it often “finds its voice” only after bottling, so it could ultimately end with a higher score”.

96 Decanter “The Lafite violets come to the fore, providing finely polished elegance to the palate. It seems discreet but the cellar master says 2015 is the most ‘concentrated’ Lafite they have made. This will show as it matures.”

98 Tim Atkin “A wine that has divided opinions in 2015. What some people see as greenness, I regard as freshness and balance. This is elegant and harmonious, but doesn’t lack stuffing, carrying its 100% new oak with ease. Graphite, blackcurrant and cedar wood are underpinned by chalky minerality”.

18.0 Jancis Robinson
“Lustrous mid crimson. Lightly spicy nose and very smooth tannins in the Lafite style. Only just enough acidity. Blurry impression. Mild and charming – very restrained and Lafite. It builds on the end in an impressive manner”.