Tasting Notes
Vinous – 92
The 2008 Lafite-Rothschild, sporting the Chinese "8" character on the bottle, has a very classic, quite austere bouquet with blackberry, cedar and pencil lead, a little more red fruit than I remember from previous bottles. The palate is medium-bodied with light tannin, modest dusty black fruit laced with graphite, although I would be seeking more flesh and body on the finish that tapers too rapidly for me. This Lafite-Rothschild was one of the most impressive wines out of barrel and in the first years but I feel it is now being overtaken by other First Growths. Head winemaker Eric Kohler is making better wines these days. (Tasted at BI Wine & Spirit s annual 10-Year On tasting.)
Anticipated maturity: 2018-2032
JancisRobinson.com – 18.0
Blackish crimson. Well-mannered nose with lots of subtlety and a hint of well-polished leather. Very juicy with lots of palate impact but still very unresolved with more than a hint of acidity. Rather exotic and spicy with glamorously managed tannins. Marked freshness. Very 2008! Finishes very cool – nothing at all sweet and rich about this.
Anticipated maturity: 2018-2032
Robert Parker – 97
Tasted ex-chateau and single blind in Southwold. Pick of the First Growth’s perchance? The 2008 has a beautiful classic Pauillac nose with pure blackberry, graphite and sous-bois aromas that demonstrates supreme great intensity and delineation. The palate is very structured, complex with very fine and rigid tannins. There is a beguiling sense of symmetry and focus here with great persistency on the finish (which has an almost Saint Julien-like personality). Very sophisticated. Tasted January 2012.
