The 1985 Château Lafite Rothschild is a beautiful example of aged Bordeaux, offering a nose of tobacco, cedar, and ripe red berry fruit. The palate is refined, with fine tannins and balanced acidity, maintaining a youthful yet understated character. The wine is elegant and magnetic, showing impressive complexity without excess, and a finish that is seamless and persistent. At its peak, it dances on the palate with firm, salty, and savory notes, demonstrating great balance and finesse. An exceptional wine, now at its finest.

James Suckling | JS 96
Published: Jun 9, 2021

This is so beautiful now and exhibits real aged-Bordeaux character with currant-bush, tobacco and berry aromas that follow through to a medium body with firm tannins and a creamy finish. Still so together. The finish turns to cigar box, sandalwood and berry. Drink or hold.

The Wine Advocate | RP 93
Published: Jul 29, 2016
Drink: 2016-2030

Tasted at the Chateau, the 1985 Lafite-Rothschild was the best example of this wine that I have tasted a dozen or so times. It has a beautiful nose that is just classic Lafite. It is still fresh yet understated, stately even, with tobacco and cedar-tinged red berry fruit. It is not a powerful bouquet, but there is something...magnetic about it. The palate is still youthful with fine tannin, like the nose, understated yet very well balanced. The acidity here is perfectly judged with an almost nonchalant finish. You almost miss its virtues - it is just so self-effacing and insouciant. Just a really lovely Lafite-Rothschild at the peak of its powers. Tasted March 2016. 

Jancis Robinson | JR 18
Published: May 30, 2018
Drink: 2000-2030

The year of extremes: a very cold winter down to minus 15 °C (59 °F), from 8 to 16 January, violent storms with hail at the beginning of June, Saharan drought, heatwave in August and throughout the autumn. Harvest started at the beginning of October, with a temperature of nearly 30 °C (86 °F). Finally, an ideal harvest offering a vintage of great quality and surprisingly abundant.
Second in the trio of vintages served blind at the 150th anniversary celebration. Very impressive and absolutely at its peak. Juicy and mineral with a sweet, rich nose. Neat and well balanced with no excess of tannins. Really lively. Firm, salty and savoury. This is one of those Lafites that dances on the palate. Great balance. Bravo! Birth year of Eric's elder son and Saskia's elder brother (she is a 1987 baby). 

lafite.com

1985 vintage
The 1985 vintage signals recurrent success. The same weather conditions as in 1982, meaning continuing sun from July to September, produce similar results : grapes with thick skins, with condensed and supple tannins, intense aromas. This grapes have produced complete and velvety wines, with complex bouquets; really very elegant.

Location
Pauillac is located on the left bank of the Gironde estuary, approximately 40km North of Bordeaux. With the tempering influence of the estuary and a great diversity of soils originated from both the Massif Central and the Pyrenees, Pauillac boasts exceptional climatic and geological conditions to make outstanding wines.

Terroir
Chateau Lafite Rothschild is located to the north of the appellation, bordering Saint Estèphe. Lafite's best terroirs stretch on the 50ha Plateau des Carruades to the west of the Château. This plateau, which is the highest point of the Pauillac appellation, is well-drained and enjoys optimal sun exposure. Its clayey gravel soils offer excellent water regulating abilities, and provide optimal ripening conditions for the Cabernet Sauvignon.
Some 4.5 ha planted in the neighbouring Saint Estephe appellation, count amongst the oldest vines of the property and provide year after year grapes of outstanding quality for the Grand Vin.

Winemaking
In order to reveal the magic of Lafite’s terroir, every step of the wine elaboration is carried out with the greatest precision. Depending of their provenance and level of ripeness, grapes will be transferred into either wooden, stainless steel or concrete vats. Alcoholic fermentation is conducted at controlled temperature, with regular pumping over to gently release all the phenolic compounds in the grapes. Each vat is carefully monitored and tasted daily in order to determine the best racking time. The maceration period variesfor each tank but is around 22 days in total.
After malolactic fermentation wines are transferred into French oak barrels. Lafite has its own cooperage in Pauillac, la Tonnellerie des Domaines, which contributes to its unique style. The selection for the grand vin is made in March, once the wines have settled and start revealing their full potential. Every barrel is tasted individually and only the best ones are set aside for the final blend.
Once blended, the wine is aged for a further 15 months in barrels, primarily of new oak.

Grapes
65 % Cabernet sauvignon
25 % Merlot
10 % Cabernet franc

Tasting
Nice color.
Complexe cedar and ripen fruit nose.
Discreet in mouth at the beginning then it starts revealing its power. Well balanced, persistent tannins, supple.