Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 1998

98 points Robert Parker: "A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot, this wine represents only 34% of Lafite's total harvest. In a less than perfect Medoc vintage, it has been spectacular since birth, putting on more weight and flesh over the last year. This opaque purple-colored 1998 is close to perfection. The spectacular nose of lead pencil, smoky, mineral, and black currant fruit soars majestically from the glass. The wine is elegant yet profoundly rich, revealing the essence of Lafite's character. The tannin is sweet, and the wine is spectacularly layered yet never heavy. The finish is sweet, super-rich, yet impeccably balanced and long (50+ seconds). Anticipated maturity: 2007-2035. (Apr 2001)"

98 points (19/20) La Revue du Vin de France (Jan 2006).

96 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot, the 1998 Lafite Rothschild is deep garnet with a hint of brick and gorgeous notions of sandalwood, crème de cassis, smoked meats, black pepper and garrigue with touches of chargrill, dried herbs and mincemeat pie. Medium-bodied, soft and plush on the palate, it has tons of mouth-filling savory and plum preserves flavors and a very long, savory finish. Delicious now, it should keep for 15-20 more years. Drink: 2018-2038. (Jun 2018)"

96 points Neal Martin (Vinous): " The 1998 Lafite-Rothschild is served from double magnum directly from the château reserves, in fact with the man who made it sitting opposite me – Charles Chevalier. I must admit to being quite amazed how well this shows at 20-years of age, trouncing all the other First Growths except Haut-Brion. Lucid in colour, it has a vivid bouquet of pure blackberry, blueberry, vanilla and graphite, perhaps just a little uncharacteristically showy in style, but beautifully defined and intense. The palate is perfectly balanced with layers of ripe black fruit, perfectly pitched acidity and a silky smooth texture that renders this utterly seductive. It is almost too good for me to recommend cellaring longer. Whatever...it is a sublime Lafite-Rothschild that on this showing, may well challenge the supremacy of the 1996. Tasted at the Académie du Vin dinner in Bordeaux. Drink: 2018-2050. (Jul 2018)"

96 points Falstaff Guide: "Dark ruby, deep core, purple reflections, delicate rim brightening. Nuances of Piedmont cherry on the nose, savoury hints of oak, pickled plum, a hint of caramel, candied orange, a very complex and inviting bouquet. The palate is dominated by its vivid, supporting tannin core. (Nov 2009)"

95 points Wine Spectator: "Amazing aromas of crushed blackberries, toasted oak and currant, spices. Really a great nose. Full-bodied, with round and velvety tannins and a long, long finish. It lasts for minutes on the palate. Superb. Best wine of the Médoc, without a doubt. -'88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Best after 2011. (2009)"

95 points Charles Curtis, MW (Decanter): "The vintage began with a dry spring followed by a hot August, giving grapes with thick skins and plenty of tannin and colour. Rain arrived at harvest, but because of earlier conditions, no damage was done. The final wine is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot; just over a third of the grapes made it into the grand vin. Results were inconsistent – one bottle showed a tell-tale whiff of Brettanomyces tamping down the fruit, but a second bottle was much better, with clean, curranty fruit, rich texture, and silky tannins. When it is good, it is terrific. Drinking Window: 2022-2052. (Mar 2022)"

94 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Saturated bright ruby. Noble aromas of blackcurrant, cedar, lead pencil, licorice and nutty oak. Very intensely flavored and penetrating, with great class and grip. Impressively concentrated and juicy, but still rather imploded in the middle palate. This showed terrific subtle sweetness as it opened in the glass. Offers quintessential Lafite elegance as well as the strong backbone to support long aging. The finish features firm but ripe tannins and uncanny persistence of flavor. A candidate for the Medoc wine of the vintage. (May/Jun 2001)"

94 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "With 2 hours, give or take of decanting , the wine has body and depth, but it's also reticent. Tobacco leaf, cigar box, cedar, herbs, green peppers, and red currants show, but there is a distinctive green note on the nose and palate that is becoming more apparent, along with some dryness in the finish. Lovers of old-school-styled Bordeaux will probably like this more than I did. (Aug 2021)"

94 points Wine & Spirits (Apr 2002).

19.5/20 points Clive Coates (The Wines of Bordeaux): "Fullish colour. Very classy nose. Gently oaky, profound, rich fruit. Almost old viney in its creamy richness. Full body. Great distinction. Excellent grip. Splendid balance. This is very, very lovely. I prefer it to Margaux and Latour. It has real definition. Very, very long. Very fine indeed. Drink: 2010-2030. (2004)"