Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2011

WEINWISSER: "Feingliedrig fast tänzerisches Bouquet mit einem leichten Anflug von grünem Pfeffer, edler Cassiswürze und frisch gepflückter Schattenmorelle. Im zweiten Ansatz deutlich mehr Tiefe und Würze aufkommend mit Kardamom und Earl- Grey Noten sowie Preiselbeersaft und Lakritze. Am komplexen Gaumen mit viel Flash, der seinen Weg in den nächsten 2–3 Jahren finden wird, man spürt die Kraft. Im konzentrierten Finale schwarze Beeren, wird immer länger."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "The wine shows the power typical of a Lafite but within the context of the fruity 2011 vintage. The immensely dense tannic structure gives the wine a solid feel that is lifted by so much ripe black currant and berry fruits. At the back, the wine has a more brooding, dark character that suggests great aging potential."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Produced from a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. Spice, blackberry liqueur, licorice, earth, graphite and gravel scents lead to a full-bodied wine with supple tannins, freshness and good concentration. The wine ends with a bright, elegant cassis-filled finish."

DECANTER: "Developing into classical Lafite - meaning the frame comes from fine tannins, and the overall impression is of subtle complexity, still extremely young but with energy and lift. A gentle cedar smoke and liquorice edging becomes clear as it opens up, and the black fruits are savoury. The St-Estephe plot was hailed on in early September, but the fruit was already relatively ripe, so even though they harvested 15 days earlier than ideal, it was ripe enough to use in the Grand Vin, and the overall yield was 52hl/ha. Higher Merlot in the blend than you would find today (now closer to 10%). Drinking Window 2024 - 2045"

JAMES SUCKLING: "Love the nose on this, with sweet tobacco, delicate currant, cedar and blackberry. Full body with integrated tannins and a juicy, fruity, subtle finish. The texture to this wine is beautiful. Better than I remember from barrel. Try in 2019."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarter Wasserrand. Dunkle Waldbeeren, ein Hauch von Bienennwachs und Nougat, kandierte Orangenzesten, dezente Edelholzwürze, tabakige Nuancen, ein Hauch von Cassis im Hintergrund. Mittlerer Körper, feine Nuancen von roten Johannisbeeren, mineralisch und frisch, zart nach Minze und Limette, in positiven Sinne ein klein wenig vegetal, bleibt animierend und lebendig im Abgang."

WINE SPECTATOR: "This delivers pronounced tobacco and bay leaf notes up front, with a core of steeped plum and currant fruit and a fleshy edge through the charcoal-lined finish. There's some serious buried minerality, which should emerge with cellaring. Best from 2018 through 2031."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Shaded crimson. Quite a light nose considering the likely price of this. Smooth tannins and lots of sweetness. Good balance. Non pushy. But no problem with excess tannin or acidity. Rather sweet and gentle with light oyster shells on the finish. Admirably restrained."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot (harvested between September 3-21), the 2011 Lafite Rothschild came in at 12.6% natural alcohol (considerably lower than in 2010 and 2009). Exhibiting a deep ruby/purple color, lots of crushed rock, red and black currant, forest floor and underbrush characteristics, moderate tannin and medium body, it is built somewhat along the lines of the 1999 and 2001. It should be a 20- to 25-year wine, but it is not at the level of the 2008, 2009 and 2010. Fresh acids give the wine a somewhat more clipped feeling than most great Lafites have exhibited. Nevertheless, there is a lot of freshness and vibrancy to this vintage."