Lafite Rothschild 2005

The Château Lafite-Rothschild 2005 has that telltale pencil-shaving bouquet that is wonderfully defined with red berry fruit moving gracefully towards secondary notes of mint, Seville orange marmalade and leather. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, utterly graceful in the mouth, classic in style with a gradual build towards the pencil-lead finish that contains enormous persistence. This is not a powerful Lafite-Rothschild – there is no need. Graceful and elegant, this is an intellectual, sophisticated Pauillac that will age for an extraordinarily long time. If you can splash the cash, why not? Drink 2020 – 2060.

Extremely complex and intriguing on the nose. More lifted than Duhart Milon and Carruades. Very fine-boned and minerally – graphite sensation (although there is no Cabernet Franc in the final blend). Delicate – which is quite an achievement in 2005! Very subtle and very youthful. Wonderful opulence with a neat, dry finish. A gorgeous drink that may be overlooked in comparison with Latour’s greater drama but a very fine representation of both château and vintage, with, I suspect, a very long window of drinkability. Drink 2018-50

Black velvety red, colour sticking to the glass, superb fragrance and intensity, concentrated ripeness, immense depth but overall an impression of fragrance and elegance, a perfect wine. Drink 2015-50.