A candidate for the -wine of the vintage,- the 2008 should have been purchased before it began to soar in value because of the significance of the number 8 in the Chinese culture (denoting good luck).
Representing 40% of the production, this blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc offers aromas of high quality unsmoked cigar tobacco, lead pencil shavings, creme de cassis, earth, cedar and asphalt.
Full, rich and stunningly concentrated, I doubt it is inferior to the 2010, just more classic as well as slightly more forward and a degree weaker in alcoholic potency (12.5% versus 13.5%).
The 2008 should be relatively drinkable in 6-10 years as it is already showing remarkable complexity and breed, and will last for 30-35 years...at the minimum.
Made in an ethereal style、 the 2005 Lafite is composed of nearly 89% Cabernet Sauvignon、 just under 11% Merlot、 and a tiny fraction of Petit Verdot (representing only 40% of the total harvest).
It is a deep、 structured、 linear style of Lafite Rothschild that is in total contrast to the opulence and extravagant richness of the 2003 and the bold、 dramatic power of the 2000.
The dense ruby/plum/purple-tinged 2005 offers up scents of graphite、 flowers、 crushed rocks、 and loads of berry fruit.
Medium-bodied and sweet with high tannin、 it represents the quintessentially elegant style of Bordeaux.
Another brilliant effort made under the auspices of administrator Charles Chevalier、 it should be at its finest between 2015-2050+.
The 2005 Lafite is a lighter-styled effort than I expected、 but of course、 this estate is renowned for its delicacy and finesse.
After the world-beating、 off-the-charts 2003、 which is a modern-day clone of the 1959、 the 2005 seems pretty and restrained、 but very noble as one would expect.
Remarkably、 the alcohol is actually higher in 2005 than in 2003、 topping out at 13+%.
The final blend was 88.8% Cabernet Sauvignon、 10.7% Merlot、 and the rest Petit Verdot.
Production represented only 40% of the harvest.
The wine’s dark plum/ruby/purple color is followed by Lafite’s tell-tale aromas of lead pencil shavings intermixed with flowers、 minerals、 sweet berries、 and black currants.
Medium-bodied、 quintessentially elegant and finesse-styled with high but ripe tannin、 it is an impeccably pure、 exceptionally well-made effort.
Despite its obvious charm、 my instincts suggest it will shut down after bottling.
Only 40% of the crop made it into the 2004 grand vin、 which is the antithesis of the opulent、 powerful、 concentrated 2003.
The linear、 elegant 2004 is a classic Lafite、 revealing cassis、 raspberry、 graphite、 and new earth-like characteristics.
With terrific concentration、 medium body、 fresh acidity、 and a vibrant、 stylish taste、 this blend of 90.5% Cabernet Sauvignon、 9% Merlot、 and 0.5% Petit Verdot should be at its finest between 2010-2030.
One of the better wines of the vintage、 the elegantly-styled 2004 Lafite Rothschild reveals hints of lead pencil、 crushed rocks、 flowers、 creme de cassis、 and cranberries.
Medium-bodied with considerable finesse、 length、 ripeness、 and structure、 this blend of 90.5% Cabernet Sauvignon、 9% Merlot、 and a dollop of Petit Verdot requires 3-5 years of cellaring.
It should be drunk over the following three decades.
Gorgeous aromas of blackberries、 currants and spices.
Full-bodied and focused、 with fine、 tight tannins and a chocolate、 berry and licorice aftertaste.
Serious second wine of Lafite.
■ワイン・スペクテイター誌評:89〜91点 ※バレル・テースティング時の評価です。
(ワイン・スペクテイター誌Jun 30、 2006号より)
【WS誌のラフィット05年の評価】
Fabulous aromas of currant、 tobacco、 mineral and cedar with licorice undertones.
Muscular wine with firm yet velvety tannins.
Full-bodied、 with lots of fruit yet reserved and long.
Wonderful balance yet plenty of strength.
Extremely well-toned and long.
2000 again?
■ワイン・スペクテイター誌評:95〜100点 ※バレル・テースティング時の評価です。
(ワイン・スペクテイター誌Jun 30、 2006号より)
【パーカーのラフィット05年の評価】
■ロバート・パーカー氏評:94〜98点
Made in an ethereal style、 the 2005 Lafite is composed of nearly 89% Cabernet Sauvignon、 just under 11% Merlot、 and a tiny fraction of Petit Verdot (representing only 40% of the total harvest).
It is a deep、 structured、 linear style of Lafite Rothschild that is in total contrast to the opulence and extravagant richness of the 2003 and the bold、 dramatic power of the 2000.
The dense ruby/plum/purple-tinged 2005 offers up scents of graphite、 flowers、 crushed rocks、 and loads of berry fruit.
Medium-bodied and sweet with high tannin、 it represents the quintessentially elegant style of Bordeaux.
Another brilliant effort made under the auspices of administrator Charles Chevalier、 it should be at its finest between 2015-2050+.