Lafite Rothschild 1999

The 1999 Lafite Rochschild sports an engraved "1999" on the bottle along with an eclipse to mark that significant histoircal event of August 1999. A quintessential offering from Lafite Rothschild, this prodigious wine is both elegant and intensely flavoured and almost diaphanous in its layers that unfold with no heaviness. An opaue ruby/purple colour is accompanied by a complex bouquet of lead pencil, graphite, cedar, crème de cassis, toast, and vanilla. Medium bodied with extravagant layers of richness yet little weight and a finish that is all sweetness, ripeness, and harmony, this extroadinary Lafite increasingly appears to be amodern day clone of the majestic 1953. A mere one-third of the crop made it into the grand vin!Anticipated maturity:2007-2030

The 1999 Lafite Rothschild is entering adolescence and beginning to show very well after an hour in the decanter. Offering up aromas of rich dark fruit mingled with cigar box, loamy soil, spices and subtle animal top notes. Medium to full-bodied, muscular and concentrated for the vintage, with lively acids and still rather youthfully assertive tannins, it's a fine effort that would rate higher if it displayed greater aromatic purity. 2009 - 2039

complex aromas of blackberries, tobacco, spices and black licorice are alluring in this full bodied claret, with a solid core of fruit and silky tannins. Long caressing finish. Superfine, well structred. Wine of the vintage. Best after 2006.

Transparent and lively. Fresh, appetising and already swallowable. So direct and frank! This is not one of Lafite's finest, most intense productions but it's well balanced and racy. Drink 2010-2025. Date tasted 25th June 09.