Lafite Rothschild 2004

This beautiful, stunningly dense purple-colored effort (includes about 90% Cabernet Sauvignon) offers up precise notes of graphite, black cherries, cassis, scorched earth, and minerals. Medium to full-bodied with fabulous fruit, impressive richness, refreshing acidity, and sweet tannin, this beauty should be approachable in 4-5 years, and last for three decades. As Lafite Rothschilds go, this is somewhat of a sleeper vintage. Also tasted: 2004 Carruades de Lafite (88)

The 2004 Lafite-Rothschild appears to be another late-bloomer in the sense that this 12-year-old bottle is the best I have tasted, implying an upward swing in quality. It has a wondrous bouquet, very sensual and pure with blackberry, graphite and cedar - all the hallmarks of Pauillac, delivered with great panache. It is more opulent than I recall. The palate is medium-bodied with silky tannins, pitch-perfect acidity and a beautiful structure. There is a regal sense to this Lafite, understated compared to the other First Growths and yet the persistence on the finish deserves a round of applause, especially in the context of the vintage. This is superb and could possibly turn out to be the pick of the Firsts. Tasted September 2016. 2020 - 2050

Intense aromas of currant, coffee, toasty oak and sweet tobacco follow through to a full bodied palate, with velvety tannins, great mouthfeel and a long, caressing finish. A refined Lafite. Best after 2012.

Excellent depth of purplish crimson. Something quite sweetly aromatic on the nose - violets? vanilla? Rather more solid than I would have expected from Lafite in a year like this. Definitely earth-bound. Very solid, and lower in acidity than I would expect. While, unlike Mouton, it's obviously Pauillac, it's less obviously Lafite than in some other years. Very dry finish. Very correct but reticent. Drink 2025-38.