In order to reveal the magic of Lafite’s terroir, every step of the wine elaboration is carried out with the greatest precision. Depending on 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 varies for each tank but is around 20 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 20 months in barrels, primarily of new oak.

Wines from Lafite Rothschild continue to be some of the most sought after in the market today. The 2016 Lafite (part of this historical set) has already shown itself to be a highly collectible wine that will gain value and has incredible aging potential.

A journey through three decades that have seen the birth of beautiful vintages.  This unique collector set is an invitation to travel through time to understand the terroir of Lafite and contains the following:

1x Château Lafite Rothschild 1995 (750ml)
1x Château Lafite Rothschild 2002 (750ml)
1x Château Lafite Rothschild 2005 (750ml)
1x Château Lafite Rothschild 2008 (750ml)
1x Château Lafite Rothschild 2012 (750ml)
1x Château Lafite Rothschild 2016 (750ml)

Château Lafite Rothschild 1995 - 98 Points James Suckling, 96 Points Wine Spectator, 95 Points Wine Advocate.
A particularly beautiful summer, comparable to 1989 and 1990, but with slightly less sunshine. A spell of rainy weather arrived on 7 September. However, the rain was not very heavy and was concentrated over short periods; there was no diluting effect because the vines had been suffering from the dryweather; the sunshine returned on 17th.
Tasting Notes
Nice complex nose with hints of cedar. The attack is direct, serious then develops beautiful roundness. The finish is expressed through structured tannins guaranteeing great length. 74% Cabernet Sauvignon 18% Merlot 8% Cabernet Franc.

Château Lafite Rothschild 2002 - 95 Points Wine Spectator, 94 Points Wine Advocate
The early bud break due to a warm, dry winter was followed by a rather cold, rainy period during flowering which led to coulure (flower abortion) and millerandage (poor fertilization with mixed size berries). From the beginning of June, the yield was expected to be low. The rather cool July and August brought the same unexceptional weather as the preceding months. However, this did not stop the grapes changing color and slowly ripening.
Tasting Notes
This is a very dense, robust vintage with tight tannins and texture, good balance and tremendous length. 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.5% Merlot and 3.5% Cabernet Franc.

Château Lafite Rothschild 2005 - 99 Points James Suckling, 99 Points Decanter, 99 Points Wine Enthusiast, 98 Points Wine Spectator
2005 was the fourth consecutive year to have a deficit in rainfall, but the drought began very early, at the end of May, which allowed the vines to adapt by reducing their leaf area. The very hot weather in June and July gave way to progressively cooler weather in August and the cool nights allowed good acidity levels to be maintained, resulting in slow steady ripening. A year of atypical weather but in the end ideal for the production of healthy, very ripe grapes with wonderful freshness.
Tasting Notes
Deep color. An intense, delicate, subtle, complex nose. Very clean and direct palate on the attack, then developing volume and a nicely rounded structure. Immensely powerful, great length, density and elegance. 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot.

Château Lafite Rothschild 2008 - 98 Points Wine Advocate, 95 Points James Suckling, 92 Points Wine Spectator
The growing season was closely monitored, coming after a severe winter and some spring frost. Flowering was not very productive, constant humidity favored disease and the summer was moderately warm. Fortunately, September was fine and so it was possible to wait for the grapes to fully ripen, with late harvests. The harvest took place from the 1st to 7th October for the Merlot, & from 7th to 14th October for Cabernet Sauvignon, 9, 10 & 14 October for the Cabernet Franc & 16th October for the Petit Verdot.
Tasting Notes
Dominated by red fruit, the nose remains clear, precise and complex. In the mouth, the strength and classic style of this wine become apparent. There is fruit, substance, and tannins that are supple and tight at the same time. 84% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Merlot 1% Petit Verdot.

Château Lafite Rothschild 2012 - 95 Points James Suckling, 94 Points Wine Spectator, 91 Points Robert Parker
2012 was characterized by difficult weather conditions in the Bordeaux region. After a relatively mild winter, the spring was mostly wet and rainy, especially April, with a hail storm on the 24th. Such conditions hampered fertilization, leading to fears of reduced yields. Work in the vineyard was as vital as ever. June and July alternated heat and humidity. The weather became more stable from the beginning of August, enabling the healthy grapes to finish ripening in good conditions. Nevertheless, there was considerable variation in their degrees of ripeness and a great deal of sorting work was carried out by our teams from the end September. Harvest took place from 28 September to 9 October for the Merlot, from 9 to 16 October for the Cabernet Sauvignon, on 12 October for the Cabernet Franc and the 14 and 16 October for the Petit Verdot. Pumping over and maceration times were adjusted for each vat, depending on the origin of the plot and the tannins’ degree of ripeness. Alcoholic fermentation done in temperature-controlled wooden, stainless steel and concrete vats. 15 to 20 days of malolactic fermentation done in wooden, stainless steel and concrete vats. Aged 20 months in new barrels from the Tonnellerie des Domaines.
Tasting Notes
The nose is closed at first, then the fruit is expressed, with a slightly dominant woodiness. On the palate, the texture is tight and dense. Then the heart of the wine comes through, with a solid, compact balance. Very dense finish, and yet the tannins are “almost light and airy”! Great length with long, lingering flavors. 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Merlot, and 0.5% Petit Verdot.

Château Lafite Rothschild 2016 - 100 Points James Suckling, 99 Points Robert Parker, 98 Points Wine Spectator
2016 was characterized in Bordeaux by a very uniform climate, resulting in a good quality vintage for the entire region. Bud break occurred around the normal time, although the spring was rather rainy and cold. June was particularly overcast and cool, but flowering nevertheless took place in good conditions. The summer was hot and very dry, almost too dry at the beginning of September, with ripening becoming hindered in some cases due to water stress. Lafite’s superb terroir was perfectly able to cope with these conditions, and we were able to wait without undue concern for the very welcome rain on 13 September. This created optimal conditions for the final ripening of the grapes, which were able to reach exceptional levels of maturity.
Tasting Notes
Beautiful dark red color with almost black glints in the glass. The wine is bright and clear. Very dark. The nose is still very closed, but all the signs of tremendous aromatic potential are present: the depth, complexity and the already perfectly integrated oak from the barrel aging. Some classic notes of violet, but all still very contained. On the palate the attack is very soft and silky. Then gradually, maintaining the same softness, the wine fills the mouth with enormous length, to the point that one wonders how long it can continue! The mid-palate is perfectly balanced. It is very dense with tight tannins that are still very delicate. The wine has remarkable persistence and fullness on the palate, it does not reveal the slightest imbalance or weakness. Everything is there to guarantee a great future. 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Merlot.