Château Lafite-Rothschild 2001

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.

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 an ultra-long finish. Like a fine cashmere sweater. Best after 2010. 22,000 cases made.

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.

From magnum. 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. (JR)

The 2001 Lafite-Rothschild has a little more precision on the nose compared to the millennial Lafite. It’s vivid and focused, featuring blackberry, briar, cedar and mint, with a touch of cola in the background. The palate is well balanced and svelte in texture, building beautifully with aeration to a gorgeous, truffle-tinged finish that is a little spicier than three years ago, when I last tasted this vintage. Maybe it just tails off toward the finish when compared to the 2000. Still, this is an elegant, blue-blooded Lafite-Rothschild that exudes class.

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.

Very dark wine-red color, showing a first hint of maturity at the rim. The bouquet is spicy, dense, and very profound. Above all, what’s there is: Lafite’s incomparable sweetness. It comes through as sandalwood, sweet tobacco, fine woods, and candied fruit. You could linger for a long time over this incredibly fascinating aromatic profile! On the palate it’s still young, compact, showing a concentration and astringency that are still demanding. It needs plenty of air and will provide great pleasure for decades to come. In a way, it reminds me of the truly great old Lafite—stylistically as well!

02: 86.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5% Merlot. The Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot were used for the Carruades. The Grand Vin accounts for 43% of Lafite’s total harvest: dry, woody bouquet, cedar touch like a classic St. Julien, delicate rose scent mixed with a black-pepper note and a fine Irish moss nuance; after a few minutes, seductive rock-candy notes rise. On the palate, a feminine counterpart to the opulent Mouton, showing plenty of cherry and elderberry, again a peppery yet fitting edge in the mid-extract, wild raspberries in the focused, aromatic finish; on the aftertaste, slightly firm tannins emerge, delicate finish. Tends to be a rather lighter Lafite, yet it radiates beautiful aromatic intensity. It should not be concealed, however, that it only just reaches the given score (18/20)! And already one point lower at a large blind tasting. Can it gain again? 04: Dark ruby-garnet. Open, direct fruit bouquet, wild raspberries, very noble, bread crust (Parisette). Elegant palate, perhaps a bit light on entry, stays on the red-berry side to the end, then unfortunately a bit roughening and grainy in the finish (17/20). 05: In a blind tasting in Vienna I again awarded 17/20. There is also a fine green aromatic inside; the tannins seem a bit steely and upfront. In any case, waiting—and somehow also hoping—is advised (17/20). In Bora Bora the same autumn. Traces of wild raspberry, playful on the nose. On the palate fine, juicy, fine texture; a relatively strong toasting stands out, contributing many roasted aromas especially on the finish. (18/20). 09: Medium garnet, ruby rim. The bouquet starts with a slightly meaty note, bouillon paste, stag leather, then shows a beautiful, delicate sweetness on the second approach. Sweet palate, both substantial and fleshy, light wood notes, rock candy, Darjeeling black tea; certainly a great wine—but at the moment it cannot really show its greatness. So it is in an in-between phase. (18/20) 11: First maturity in a lightening garnet. Ethereal bouquet, heady, then quite fine with an elegant attack, multi-layered Cabernet perfume. Also silky and fine on the palate, displaying an incredible amount of finesse, blue- to black-berried, licorice and a delicate hint of caramel in the long, almost tender finish. Shows great class. (19/20). 14: We were touring at Lafite and Charles Chevalier set this 2001 Lafite in front of us to taste at the end of the visit. Well, I thought. But I was thrilled and went home and bought myself an expensive case of it. (19/20). 16: Needs air and comes across rather classic. The fascinating thing is the incredibly sweet herbal scent. (19/20). 16: Very dark wine-red, showing a first touch of maturity at the rim. The bouquet is spicy, dense and very deep. Above all: the incomparable Lafite sweetness. In the form of sandalwood, sweet tobacco, fine woods and confited fruits. One could linger for a very long time over this incredibly fascinating nose! On the palate still young, compressed, showing a still demanding concentration and astringency. It needs lots of air and will give great pleasure for decades. Somehow it reminds me of the very great, old Lafites. Also stylistically. That was a near no-brainer! (19/20). 22: Very dark. Shows quite a bit of drive, black cherry compote, mint, chocolate notes, gently full with a complex frame. For a twenty-year-old wine it still seems quite fruity and less developed on the nose than the 2000. On the palate delicately creamy, with plenty of glide and rounded tannins. Well-balanced and long, again ending with blue- to black-berried impressions. A brilliant Lafite that was probably underestimated all its life! Ready to enjoy now and at the same time with a very long life ahead. At the moment it is simply mega-intoxicating. A wonderfully beautiful Pauillac. (19/20).

Silky, sweet, powerful bouquet of cassis, mocha, licorice, cherry compote, cedar. Balanced, full, fruity palate with sweet, dark fruit, fine tannins, creamy texture, powerful, sweet aromatics, long, fresh finish. 19/20 drink by 2038

Paradoxically modern in style, the color of Lafite-Rothschild 2001 is dark and the nose is intense, with chocolate and spices. The acidity is relatively low, the wine is full-bodied with great depth. It is not yet at its peak, with a beautiful smoky finish.

Logo on the cork: issue Intense, bright, youthful color. Fruity nose of ripe, fresh character. A hint of alcohol. Vanilla. Silky entry on the palate, then the wine unfolds with savory flavors on a fine texture, with moderate power and a very good taste of blackcurrant, ink, and flowers lingering on the finish. However, the power drops a little at the end. Medium length.