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2003 Ch Lafite Rothschild 1er Cru Pauillac - 12x75cl
06A3LAFI _ 2003 - Ch Lafite Rothschild 1er Cru Pauillac - 12x75cl
  • Colour Red
  • Producer Château Lafite Rothschild
  • Region Pauillac
  • Drinking 2012 - 2035
  • Case size 12x75cl
  • Available

2003 - Ch Lafite Rothschild 1er Cru Pauillac - 12x75cl

  • Colour Red
  • Producer Château Lafite Rothschild
  • Region Pauillac
  • Drinking 2012 - 2035
  • Case size 12x75cl
  • Available

No further quantities available

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Pricing

  • IN BOND prices exclude UK Duty and VAT. Wines can be purchased In Bond for storage in Private Reserves or another bonded warehouse, or for export to non-EU countries. Duty and VAT must be paid before delivery can take place.

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Additional Information

  • Duty Paid wines have been removed from Bond and cannot subsequently be returned to Bond.  VAT is payable on Duty Paid wines. These wines must remain Duty Paid but can be purchased as such for storage subject to VAT.

  • En Primeur wines can only be purchased In Bond. On arrival in the UK these wines can either be stored In Bond in Private Reserves or another bonded warehouse or delivered directly to you. When you decide to take delivery, Duty and VAT at the prevailing rate become payable.

  • Goedhuis, April 2004

    86% Cabernet Sauvignon dominates unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage, complemented by 9% Merlot ,3 % Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot .Fresh and cool with lovely elegance and depth this is stunning. Packed with fruit but with a firm structure it will age beautifully.

  • Goedhuis, April 2004

    86% Cabernet Sauvignon dominates unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage, complemented by 9% Merlot ,3 % Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot .Fresh and cool with lovely elegance and depth this is stunning. Packed with fruit but with a firm structure it will age beautifully.

  • Robert Parker, August 2014, Score: 100

    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.

  • Robert Parker, April 2006, Score: 100

    A modern day version of the 1959 Lafite, the 2003 Lafite Rothschild was bottled in mid-May, 2005 after achieving 12.9% natural alcohol – hardly an astonishing figure given the vintage's weatherconditions. A combination of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, it represents a ripe version of the essence of Lafite-Rothschild. Dense purple-colored, with classic notes of graphite intertwined with melted licorice, creme de cassis, smoke, and flowers, it reveals extraordinary richness, opulence, power, purity, intensity, and viscosity. Whether this wine will close down or not is questionable as it is somewhat atypical given its sweetness and softness. Analytically, there are extremely high tannins, which I suspect will assert themselves in the future. Production in 2003 was less than half of normal. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2050.

  • Robert Parker, April 2005, Score: 96-100

    One of the vintage's most prodigious wines, the 2003 may be a modern day clone of the1959 LafiteRothschild. Unusually opulent and viscous, with a dense purple color and an amazingly complex nose of scorched earth, Asian soy, balsamic vinegar, black currants, plums, and even some figs, Lafite tips the scales at 12.75% alcohol (less than they expected). The final blend is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. A wine of great intensity, tremendous viscosity and density with low acidity (the pH is pushing 4), and a magnificent finish, but all with great precision, purity, and freshness, this is a tour de force in winemaking and something that simply has to be tasted to be believed. I have never had another Lafite Rothschild anything like it, and those who would argue that the 1982 or 1959 are cut from the same mold may have some supportive evidence. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2050+.

  • James Suckling, April 2004, Score: 95-100

    Currants, blackberries, cedar and light tobacco. Very pure and fresh, like crushed berries. Full-bodied, with a solid core of ripe tannins and a long, long finish. Exciting, yet polished and refined. This is a rich and structured Lafite. Very classic style.

  • Decanter, April 2004

    Very deep purple ruby, very rich on the glass, almost the glycerine of a vintage Port, marvellous nose of wild violets, with a floral fragrance that explodes onto the palate, beautiful tannins and great length, a great wine. Drink: 2012-35.

Producer

Château Lafite Rothschild

One peek into Château Lafite's cellar is like entering into the 18th century. Its cobweb-covered chandeliers subtly light shadowy corridors that play host to hundreds of ancient vintages. Nothing could be more representative of its wine making philosophy - classic, stylish and yet powerful - characteristics that have made it one of the most collectible wines in the world. Situated in the north of Pauillac, Château Lafite-Ro...Read more

One peek into Château Lafite's cellar is like entering into the 18th century. Its cobweb-covered chandeliers subtly light shadowy corridors that play host to hundreds of ancient vintages. Nothing could be more representative of its wine making philosophy - classic, stylish and yet powerful - characteristics that have made it one of the most collectible wines in the world. Situated in the north of Pauillac, Château Lafite-Rothschild sits on gravel soils with bits of limestone scattered in the mix. It is one of the largest estates in the Medoc and one of the most prominent, the wines exude elegance and finesse. The vineyard is laid out to mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) with the rest comprising Merlot (25%) Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (2%). The second wine, Carruades de Lafite, has a slightly more Merlot than the Grand Vin and is thus more approachable in its youth.Read less

Region

Pauillac

Due south of St Estèphe lies the appellation of Pauillac, the king of Left Bank communes. It is home to three first growths as well as a plethora of other classified growths. Pauillac's renowned well-draining, gravelly soils enable its dominant grape Cabernet Sauvignon to reach fantastic heights of complexity and concentration. As a result, Pauilac's wines tend to be full-bodied with compact tannins and good freshness. Its aromatics are often what one associates with classic Bordeaux: pencil shavings, black currant and occasional mint. Some of the most famous châteaux of the commune are Latour, Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild, Pichon Baron, Pichon Lalande and Lynch Bages.

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