WEINWISSER: "Mittleres Weinrot, erste Reifetöne. Leicht pilziger Beginn, dezent zapfig, grüne Kapsinnoten, dahinter etwas Röstnoten zeigend und Süssholz, schlank, aber sehr aromatisch. Auch im Gaumen mit grünlichem Cabernet, mittelgewichtig, aber durch die gut stützende Säure und den Aromendruck sich ziemlich lang zeigend. Braucht viel Luft, um das Artisanale im Innern des Weines zu absorbieren. Wirkt insgesamt noch sehr jung. Vorschlag: Kalt und lange dekantieren oder beim normalen Dekantieren hoch plätschern lassen."
WINESPECTATOR: "A graceful wine with cedar, berry and cherry aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a succulent, sweet fruit finish. Delicious to drink now.--Cabernet Challenge."
DECANTER: "Perfect for drinking now, this is utterly gorgeous, with elongated, soft and perfectly integrated tannins. There's a mouthwatering quality to the entire structure, and a gentle persistency. It resonates through the palate, softly levitating. There's a comet on the bottle of this Lafite by the way, even though the Haley's comet that it celebrates actually arrived in 1986. I guess they were impatient to celebrate it at the moment of bottling the 1985. Drinking Window 2018 - 2040."
ANTONIO GALLONI: "The 1985 Lafite-Rothschild is only a modest success in the context of the vintage. Here, it is totally outclassed by the 1985 Las Cases. Light, slightly loose-knit red berry fruit on the nose is complemented by warm gravel and smoky aromas, though it lacks a bit of energy. The palate is nicely balanced, not powerful but focused, with adequate freshness. As mentioned in my previous tasting note, this has dispensed with some density in recent years, and if your expectations are modest, it remains enjoyable. Tasted at Hameau de Barbaron in Burgundy."
THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Medium bodied, and almost bordering on light, this is elegant, refined, or perhaps, delicate is the best way to put. Fully mature, your focus should be on the tobacco, cigar box, lead pencil, cedar, cherry and forest floor aromatics, than on the still fresh, light, soft, graceful, but petite, light cherry and cranberry finish. This is not a candidate for further evolution."
FALSTAFF: "Dunkles, vitales Rubingranat, mit violetten Reflexen, zarte Randaufhellung. In der Nase etwas verhalten, zart nach Dörrzwetschken, Gewürzen, Herzkirschen und feinem Schokokaramell, unterlegt mit einem Hauch Grafit und Zedernholz. Am Gaumen feines Zwetschkenkonfit, ausgewogen und hochelegant, ein Wein voll Charme, hat die perfekte Trinkreife erreicht, wirkt frisch und verführerisch, ein zeitloser Lafite-Klassiker, der kein Gramm Fett zu viel auf den Knochen hat."
THE WINEADVOCATE: "Tasted at the château, the 1985 Lafite-Rothschild was the best example of this wine that I have tasted a dozen or so times. It has a beautiful nose that is just classic Lafite. It is still fresh yet understated, stately even, with tobacco and cedar-tinged red berry fruit. It is not a powerful bouquet, but there is something...magnetic about it. The palate is still youthful with fine tannin, like the nose, understated yet very well balanced. The acidity here is perfectly judged with an almost nonchalant finish. You almost miss its virtues - it is just so self-effacing and insouciant. Just a really lovely Lafite-Rothschild at the peak of its powers. Tasted March 2016."
