100 By Robert Parker
The 2003 Lafite Rothschild comes as close to perfection as any of the great Lafites made over the past three decades (1982, 1986, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010). This sensational effort came in at 12.7% natural alcohol, it is made in the style of one of this estate’s great classics, the 1959. Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color to the rim along with a luxurious bouquet of cedarwood, lead pencil shaving, white chocolate, cocoa and cassis. Fat, rich, opulent and full-bodied with low acidity and stunning seductiveness and complexity, this noble wine possesses a bountiful, generous, heady style. It is just coming into its plateau of maturity where it should hold for 20-25 years. This is one of the candidates for the wine of the vintage – make no mistake about that. These are two great successes in this vintage that have aged well and surprised me by their intensity and overall complexity.
20 By Rene Gabriel
7: Magnum. Die Farbe ist fast schwarz. Mag auch daran liegen, dass da – Dank Magnum – recht viel Wein im Gabriel-Gold-Glas drin war. Die Nase gibt viel Power frei, Rauch, Lakritze, Pumpernickel, Spitzwegerich. Wäre da nicht Lafite auf dem Etikett gestanden hätte ich ihn nasal einen Latour zugeordnet. Im Gaumen perfekt, eine Mischung von Konzentration und Finesse zeigend, schwarzes Pfeffermehl, Vanilleschoten, enorm konzentriertes Extrakt, gigantische Länge. Ein dramatischer Wein, den man vielleicht nicht einem grossen Lafite zuordnen kann. Auch nicht einem typischen Pauillac und schon gar nicht einem Bordeaux. Aber ein Prädikat verdient er ganz sicher: Weltklasse! (20/20). 18: Mitteldunkles Granat, sanft aufhellend am Rand, aber noch keine Reifetöne zeigend. Das Bouquet ist immer noch dunkelbeerig und somit sehr fruchtig, gleichzeitig drängeln sich feine, erste Terroirwürznoten in Form von Zedernnuancen und Sommertrüffeln ins vielschichtige Nasenbild. Er zeigt eine grossartige, nasale Grösse an. Im Gaumen elegant, hoch fein mit einer dunkelbeerigen Frucht (Brombeeren und Cassis) begleitet. Wenn man ihn schlürft, dann entwickelt er das autochthone Lafite-Parfüm. Das Finale ist lang und sehr konzentriert und somit auch gewaltig nachhaltig. Er wirkt gegenüber anderen 2003er zu Beginn fast etwas diskret. Bei einem Lafite ist dies aber kein Makel, sondern ein klassischer Vorteil. Ich war hin und weg beim Degustieren und brachte es nicht übers Herz diesen Wein auszuspucken. Gut geschluckt ist irgendwie auch gespuckt! Lebensgarantie: 40 Jahre+. (20/20).
98 By James Suckling
Spicy and rich, with a tobacco and berry character on the nose and palate I love the nose. Full bodied, with soft velvety tannins that give you so much. This goes on and on. Sexy and exciting right now, but leave this for five or six years. Find the wine
96 By Wine Spectator
Subtle, complex aromas of berries, licorice and currants. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a long finish. Very well-integrated wine. Lovely stuff. Wonderful length and finesse. Best after 2012. 20,000 cases made. — JS
96 By Vinous
The 2003 Lafite-Rothschild famously shrugged off the merciless heat of that infamous summer when the temperature at the estate nudge 42° Celsius. It has a lovely bouquet of black plum, pressed iris, a touch of glycerin and (for Lafite) exotic scents of blood orange. The palate is powerful and intense as you would expect. There is great depth and volume with glossy black fruit laced with orange zest, smoke and melted tar. You can almost feel the summer in this Lafite-Rothschild but unlike many of its peers, it has requisite acidity to maintain freshness and avoid cloyingness on the finish. Whilst not my pick of modern-day Lafites, I have to doff my cap because it was and still is, one of the finest Left Banks of the vintage. Tasted at the Lafite-Rothschild 150th anniversary dinner at the estate.
The 2003 Lafite Rothschild comes as close to perfection as any of the great Lafites made over the past three decades (1982, 1986, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010). This sensational effort came in at 12.7% natural alcohol, it is made in the style of one of this estate’s great classics, the 1959. Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color to the rim along with a luxurious bouquet of cedarwood, lead pencil shaving, white chocolate, cocoa and cassis. Fat, rich, opulent and full-bodied with low acidity and stunning seductiveness and complexity, this noble wine possesses a bountiful, generous, heady style. It is just coming into its plateau of maturity where it should hold for 20-25 years. This is one of the candidates for the wine of the vintage – make no mistake about that. These are two great successes in this vintage that have aged well and surprised me by their intensity and overall complexity.
