Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 2004

98 points (19/20) La Revue du Vin de France: "The 2004 is harmonious and needs a few more years of cellaring... (Jan 2008)"

96 points Wine Enthusiast: "Yes, there is power to this wine. But more than that, it exudes authority; a dense and solid wine with an impressive presence and texture. It has a velvet mouthfeel: the tannins are dusty and mineral, alongside fruit flavors of ripe black plums and dark figs, leavened with fresh acidity. The potential, of course, is there: 20 years if you can wait. (Jun 2007)"

95 points Robert Parker: "This beautiful, stunningly dense purple-colored effort (includes about 90% Cabernet Sauvignon) offers up precise notes of graphite, black cherries, cassis, scorched earth, and minerals. Medium to full-bodied with fabulous fruit, impressive richness, refreshing acidity, and sweet tannin, this beauty should be approachable in 4-5 years, and last for three decades. As Lafite Rothschilds go, this is somewhat of a sleeper vintage. (Jun 2007)"

95 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "The 2004 Lafite-Rothschild appears to be another late-bloomer in the sense that this 12-year-old bottle is the best I have tasted, implying an upward swing in quality. It has a wondrous bouquet, very sensual and pure with blackberry, graphite and cedar - all the hallmarks of Pauillac, delivered with great panache. It is more opulent than I recall. The palate is medium-bodied with silky tannins, pitch-perfect acidity and a beautiful structure. There is a regal sense to this Lafite, understated compared to the other First Growths and yet the persistence on the finish deserves a round of applause, especially in the context of the vintage. This is superb and could possibly turn out to be the pick of the Firsts. Tasted September 2016. Drink: 2020-2050. (Feb 2017)"

95 points Wine & Spirits: "The most aristocratic of the Pauillac premier crus in this vintage, Lafite captures the pure black-currant flavor of fine cabernet sauvignon. Though oak blocks the aroma for now, a river of fruit runs through the taste into a long, expansive finish. The wine is layered and palate coating, its luscious fruit tamed by firm, mineral tannin. Elegant. (Oct 2007)"

95 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "If you prefer your elegance and refined character-filled wines on the young, buy reaching adolescent side, where the fruit, with its trail of tobacco leaf, cedar, cigar box, lead pencil, and salty rocks is just starting to fold into the secondary stage, you came to the right place. While another 5-10 years will really bring this to center stage, due to its forward style, this is starting to work in your glass. (Oct 2018)"

94 points Falstaff: "Deep dark ruby garnet, opaque color core, violet reflections. Intense hints of wild berries and oranges on the nose, with some nougat and marzipan, attractive youthful spicy notes. Full-bodied and freshly structured on the palate, shows present, firm tannins, yet already harmonious, pleasant plum fruit, blackberry jelly in the aftertaste, a wine with a good texture, certainly has ageing potential. ! Cellar +30 years . (Nov 2009)"

94 points Bettane & Desseauve's Guides to the Wines of France: "With great color and a very distinguished aroma of cedar, this is a tight, subtle, very elegant wine but with a relatively unadorned core, which will please those who seek refinement rather than sensuality in their wines. Drink: 2011 up to 2024. (2011)"

93 points Wine Spectator: "Intense aromas of currant, coffee, toasty oak and sweet tobacco follow through to a full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins, great mouthfeel and a long finish. A refined Lafite. Best after 2012. (3/31/07)"

93 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "Medium ruby-red. Scented nose offers plum, mocha, licorice, graphite, flowers and tobacco. Suave, silky and fine-grained, with lovely inner-mouth aromatic character and energy. Perfumed flavors of redcurrant, minerals and cedar. Finishes very long and firm, with terrific grip for this mostly gentle vintage. (May/Jun 2007)"