Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2001

WEINWISSER: "Dichtes, tiefes, komplexes, süsses Bouquet mit Cassis, rote und blaue Beeren, Red Currant, Minze. Dichter, eleganter, vielschichtiger Gaumen mit dichter Struktur, kräftiger Aromatik, viel gutem Tannin, sehr langer, dichter Abgang. 19/20 trinken - 2035"

WINE SPECTATOR: "Stick your nose in this and it says something--"I am special." Deep and generous aromas of blackberries, fresh tobacco and minerals. It´s full-bodied, with big velvety tannins and a superlong finish. Like a fine cashmere sweater. Best after 2010. 22,000 cases made."

DECANTER: "Perpetually underrated, the 2001 Lafite is positively radiant at this point, with a forward, curranty fruit character touched with spice and just a suggestion of smoke, leather, and earth. The texture has lovely depth, vibrant acidity, and firm tannins that draw out the finish. It is coming into its own at just past 20 years of age now. July was cool, but August was hot before the cool, rainy weather arrived in September, and many observers wrote off the year. Picking began the last week in September. At Lafite, 43% of the harvest made it into the grand vin. This wine has 20 or 30 years left in a proper cellar."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Continuing its march towards maturity, the cassis, cedar chest, tobacco, blackberry and forest floor aromas are right there. Supple, regal, polished, lush and fresh, the elegant charm of this wine is starting to poke through."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2001 Lafite Rothschild’s deep, saturated plum/purple color is accompanied by lead pencil liqueur-like notes intermixed with sweet red and black currants, plums, and cedar. This blend of 86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13.5% Merlot is a classic example of Lafite. Extremely elegant, medium-bodied, with intense concentration, richness, and sweet tannin, it appears to be on a rapid evolutionary track, at least in comparison to recent Lafite vintages that have been far more backward and powerful. The classy 2001 should be at its finest between 2007-2020."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Firm dark ruby. More sweet and perfumed than many other vintages of this wine. Some savoury notes on the palate but not the ethereal quality of many other vintages. Some delicacy. This is already readable – more evolved than the other 2001 first growths."