Deep and dark in colour, with a restrained yet promising nose of fresh blackcurrant, blackberry and Morello cherry, complemented by cedar, mint, graphite, violets and subtle tobacco. The palate is elegant and finely structured, combining concentrated dark fruit with exceptionally fine-grained tannins and vibrant freshness. Powerful yet harmonious, it displays the hallmark Lafite balance of finesse, precision and concentration, leading to a long, refined, mineral-inflected finish.

The Wine Advocate | RP 97-99
Published: Apr 27, 2018

Composed of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon with 3.5% Merlot and 0.5% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Lafite Rothschild is a little shy on the nose to begin, opening out to scents of crushed blackcurrants, black cherries and warm black plums with touches of yeast extract, charcuterie, cigar box and fertile loam plus a hint of iron ore. POW?the paradoxically ethereal, medium-bodied palate hits you with vibrant, exhilarating black fruit and previously latent floral layers, supported with fantastic freshness and super fine-grained, pixelated tannins, finishing with persistent mineral and perfumed layers. Truly. Stunning.

Wine Enthusiast | WE 97
Published: Mar 1, 2020

This wine is poised, gathering freshness and good acidity in the same structured container as the pure black-currant fruits. With 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine has a classicism about it: fruity and structured at the same time. Drink from 2024. — Roger Voss

lafite.com

The vintage
After a rather mild winter, there were two nights of severe frost in the spring, on 26 and 27 April, which inflicted major damage on Bordeaux’s vineyards. Miraculously, Lafite emerged unscathed.
Conditions then became excellent, with higher than usual temperatures and balanced, well-spaced rainfall. Flowering was early, and by mid-June the fruit had set almost two weeks earlier than usual. After some quite heavy rain at the end of June, temperatures remained slightly below average for the rest of the summer. This enabled a slow, steady ripening of the grapes from “mi-véraison” (the middle of the period when the grapes change colour) to mid-September when the harvests began. A final rainy spell from 10 to 20 September disrupted the otherwise perfect weather, without impacting the quality of the grapes. The wines confirmed great potential, revealing a fairly classic character.

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.

Tasting
Deep, dark colour. The nose is still reserved but offers a glimpse of enormous aromatic potential that will be revealed over time. Very fresh, with delicate notes of cedar and mint.
Intense and vibrant on the palate, giving the impression of tremendous power still contained. Despite its youth, this wine presents a very harmonious character, in which one can already appreciate the qualities of a great Lafite, combining finesse and concentration.

Technical Specs

Alcohol: 12.5% ABV
Closure: Natural Cork
Harvest/Vintage: 2017; grapes carefully selected and harvested by parcel according to ripeness. The vintage was affected by severe spring frosts in Bordeaux, although the estate's finest vineyards produced high-quality fruit.
Oak: Aged for 15 months in French oak barrels, primarily new oak.
Varietals: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5% Merlot, 0.5% Petit Verdot
Farming/Vineyard: Château Lafite Rothschild's vineyards in northern Pauillac, including approximately 50 hectares on the Plateau des Carruades. Well-drained clayey gravel soils provide excellent conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate also incorporates fruit from old-vine parcels in neighbouring Saint-Estèphe.
Winemaking: Grapes are sorted and allocated to wooden, stainless-steel or concrete vats according to parcel and ripeness. Temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation with regular pump-overs, followed by approximately 22 days of maceration. Malolactic fermentation takes place before barrel ageing.
Winemaker/Producer: Château Lafite Rothschild
Region/Appellation: Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
Classification: Premier Grand Cru Classé – 1855 Classification

Serving Temperature: 16–18°C
Decanting: 1–2 hours; allow additional time for the wine to open if drinking young
Food Pairing: Roast lamb, prime rib, beef Wellington, venison, duck breast, game dishes, wild mushrooms and mature hard cheeses