2001 Pauillac, Château Lafite-Rothschild
About Producer
Lafite’s 112ha vineyard sits on a thick layer of gravel on marl and limestone subsoil, at the northern limits of Pauillac. The largest plot of vines is on the hillsides around the château, where the land rises to 27m forming a ‘fite’, a mound in Médoc vernacular, hence the name Lafite. Long before the French market was interested by Bordeaux reds, in 1732-1733, Sir Robert Walpole, prime minister of King George I, bought a barrel of Lafite every 3 months.
Varietals
Blend of 86.5% cabernet sauvignon and 13.5% merlot.
About Appellation
Largest town in the Médoc and slighly more elevated than its surrounding area, Pauillac has always played an important role in the wine trade, notably when the city of Bordeaux lost its privilege and monopoly of wine exports to England in the 18th century. The vineyards cover 1,213ha and sit on well-drained sand and gravelly soils, with the best sites being located on rolling mounds, called 'croupes', that reach their highest point at 30m above sea level. Cabernet sauvignon is the predominant grape variety, albeit always blended with merlot, and to a lesser extent, with cabernet franc and petit verdot. Pauillac is home to 18 grands crus classés in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, including Lafite-Rothschild, Latour and Mouton-Rothschild (since 1973) as first growths.
Tasting Notes
Enthralling nose of dark fruits, tobacco, leather, cedar, lead pencil and floral scents, caressing mouthfeel with velvety texture, ample structure and impressive focus, multilayered flavours of blackberry, cassis, red currant, plum, truffle and hints of baking spices interlaced with subtle undergrowth notes, well-embedded acidity and resolved tannins carrying through a long, elegant finish. Overshadowed by the much hyped 2000 upon release, this 2001 has turned out to be a stunningly harmonious wine brimming with remarkable poise, complexity and fruit purity. Though not at the heights of the finest Lafite, it’s beguilingly voluptuous yet extraordinarily precise and fresh at 22 years old. On the palate, vivid intensity and richness are in full display, counterbalanced by a lovely lift that glides seamlessly into the aftertaste. Somewhat redolent of the 1986, it has more weight and charm than initially credited, and I can’t help but swoon over the alluring finesse that always sets Lafite apart. (12/2023)