2016 Chateau Lafite Rothschild

Château Lafite-Rothschild • A.O.C.: Pauillac • Classification: First Growth, 1èr Grand Cru Classé in 1855 Wine Notes: Château Lafite-Rothschild is now considered one of the greatest Bordeaux wine estates. It was originally simply known as Château Lafite when listed among the Premier Grand Cru Classé in 1855. Lafite, comes from Gascon term"la hite", which meant"small hill". On 8 August 1868, Baron James Mayer Rothschild purchased the property for 4.4 million francs, and it became known as Château Lafite Rothschild. During his term as the ambassador to France, Thomas Jefferson visited this estate and became a lifelong customer. Tasting Notes"The 2016 Lafite Rothschild is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot, with 15% of the press wine contributing to the blend this year. Deep purple-black in color, it slowly reveals the most gorgeous perfume of kirsch, lilacs, black raspberries and warm blackcurrants with underlying nuances of cigar box, rose hip tea, cloves, licorice and pencil lead plus a waft of garrigue. Medium-bodied and built like a brick house with a firm yet beautifully ripe, finely pixelated tannic backbone and seamless freshness supporting the amazing intensity of black fruits and floral layers, it finishes very long and provocatively perfumed.