97

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2020 Lafite-Rothschild is a super-classic wine, just as it was en primeur. Bright acids and expressive saline notes give the 2020 its shape. The 2020 represents a sort of hypothetical blend of cooler and warmer years in terms of its overall feel. Today, it is surprisingly austere, but time in the glass brings out classic Lafite red/purplish fruit, lavender and graphite notes. Readers will have to be patient. 12/2022

98

Neal Martin

Vinous

The 2020 Lafite-Rothschild, which contains the highest proportion of Merlot since the 2016, hit the bull's eye from barrel. Revisiting the wine in the bottle since July, it still bursts from the glass with copious blackberries, touches of blueberry and juniper, pencil lead and a hint of crushed stone. Wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with finely-chiseled tannins, quite linear and "correct" - a quintessential Lafite-Rothschild in many ways. It gently builds in the mouth while keeping a restraint on things, finishing with fine sapidity yet a little more juiciness than you would have found a decade or two earlier. This has the potential to evolve beautifully over several decades. 12/2022

97

William Kelley

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

The 2020 Lafite Rothschild opens in the glass with a deep bouquet of cassis, black truffle, pencil shavings and violets. Full-bodied, fleshy and layered, its broad attack segues into an ample core of fruit framed by supple, melting tannins. Seamless, layered and complete, it's richer and deeper pitched than the 2019, and its notably high pH of 3.94 likely means it will never shut down. It's a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, incorporating just a touch more Merlot from the plateau of Carruades than the 2019. 04/2023

98

Jean-Marc Quarin

Jean-Marc Quarin

Couleur sombre, intense, pourpre et belle. Nez très aromatique, fin, fruité, subtil et complexe. Nuances de fruits frais et mûrs. Fond de framboise. Emouvant. Moelleux en entrée de bouche, particulièrement aromatique au milieu, avec un toucher gras, un corps fondant et le magnifique éclat fruité qui manque à beaucoup dans ce millésime, ce vin noble fond au palais tout en douceur et velouté. En finale, il redouble d’arômes subtils. C’est incrachable ! Une corpulence et une texture à la présence rare eu égard le faible degré d’alcool. Assemblage : 92 % cabernet sauvignon, 7 % merlot, 1 % petit verdot. Degré d’alcool : 12°8 – pH : 3,9 (moyenne +) – IPT : 72 (moyenne). Rendement : 37 hl/ha. Production : 40 % de la récolte. Ne pas se priver de le goûter jeune.

100

James Suckling

James Suckling

Amazing aromas here with tobacco, crushed stone, cigar box, currants, tar, and lead pencil, as well as spices, iron, and dried ginger. Medium- to full-bodied, with a density and tightness. Very compact and complex. Racy. Delicacy with strength. Orange peel undertones. A wine to contemplate. You must understand it to understand the great Lafites of the past and those of the future. Only 12.8% alcohol. 92% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Best after 2030, but drink it if you have the chance taste it. 05/2023