Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 2020

100 points La Revue du Vin de France: "2019 and 2020 represent an absolutely historic duo. And of the two, who knows if 2020 won't come out on top? That's the bet we're taking, as the wine is so spectacular and so close to perfection. With alcohol at just 12.5%, it shows absolute distinction and elegance. The pinnacle of Cabernet aristocracy, it falls like a tailored suit. The alliance of power and elegance. (2024)"

100 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Looking at the Grand Vin, the 2020 Château Lafite-Rothschild is a sensational effort checking in as 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot that hit 12.8% natural alcohol and a pH of 3.94. As Lafite as Lafite gets, this ultra-classic reveals a dense ruby/plum hue as well as a tight, yet layered bouquet of ripe blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, freshly sharpened pencils, graphite, and subtle spice. Flawlessly balanced, deep, concentrated, and layered, it has an incredible mid-palate, building, perfect tannins, and a finish that leaves you salivating. Refined, elegant, and perfection are the buzz words here. Unfortunately, it's not for the instant gratification crowd, and I wouldn't be surprised to see this require 15 years to hit the early stages of its prime drinking window. It will probably hit its 100th birthday in fine form. Drink 2038-2113. (3/29/23)"

100 points James Suckling: "Amazing aromas here with tobacco, crushed stone, cigar box, currants, tar, and lead pencil, as well as spices, iron, and dried ginger. Medium- to full-bodied, with a density and tightness. Very compact and complex. Racy. Delicacy with strength. Orange peel undertones. A wine to contemplate. You must understand it to understand the great Lafites of the past and those of the future. Only 12.8% alcohol. 92% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Best after 2030, but drink it if you have the chance taste it. (5/14/23)"

100 points Wine Enthusiast: "Structured, dense and with great concentration, this wine is magnificent. Its black fruits and density indicate the power of the wine and its longevity. At the same time, the wine has the elegance that is always associated with this estate. Drink from 2028. (Apr 2023)"

99 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "An utterly brilliant Lafite - a sense of understated charm, it’s certainly not shouting but delivers a bright, sharp, joyous sensation. Almost subtle in its presentation with delicacy and refinement on show yet such clear power underneath. An incredible aromatic display with ripe black fruits, pepper, liquorice and crushed stones - calm, controlled and contained with beautiful tannin integration and a chalky, salinity on the finish. Supremely complete with mass appeal. Drinking Window: 2028-2049. (1/2/23)"

98 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2020 Lafite-Rothschild, which contains the highest proportion of Merlot since the 2016, hit the bull's eye from barrel. Revisiting the wine in the bottle since July, it still bursts from the glass with copious blackberries, touches of blueberry and juniper, pencil lead and a hint of crushed stone. Wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with finely-chiseled tannins, quite linear and "correct" - a quintessential Lafite-Rothschild in many ways. It gently builds in the mouth while keeping a restraint on things, finishing with fine sapidity yet a little more juiciness than you would have found a decade or two earlier. This has the potential to evolve beautifully over several decades. Drink: 2028-2065. (Dec. 2022)"

98 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2020 Lafite Rothschild is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, with a pH of 3.94. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slowly unfurls to offer very pure, intense scents of crushed blackcurrants, fresh plums, and blackberries, plus suggestions of violets, cinnamon stick, fertile loam, and tapenade with a touch of tar. The light-bodied palate is very tightly knit with many black fruit, mineral, and fragrant earth layers and a firm backbone of grainy tannins, finishing long and earthy. A bright, bright, shiny Lafite! It needs a good 12-15 years! Alcohol 12.5%. Drink: 2028-2065. (3/12/23)"

98 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "The grand vin from this branch of the Rothschild family has a beautifully perfumed nose, of scented blackberries, with a rich cranberry freshness, with notes of crushed white chalk, vanilla and sweet tobacco. The palate surpasses the success of Carruades in this vintage (which is exceptionally good), showing the same fine delineation, but adding a silky and even somewhat sinewy texture, winding this around the palate, the tobacco-infused fruit slowly allowing the tannins to reveal themselves. This tannic structure is considerable, elegantly powdered and polished through the middle, integrated and harmonious with the substance of the palate, and yet still firm, gripped and substantial, the tannins slowly wrapping themselves around the finish. Of note, it also has a little of the desiccated fruit nuance that one or two other wines in this commune also display. All in all, though, this is a very impressive wine. The élevage was in 100% new oak in this vintage, for 18 months, and the alcohol is 12.5% on the label, with 12.8% in the wine. (Dec 2022)"

98 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, deep core, delicate rim brightening. Somewhat restrained, delicate cassis, ripe dark wild berries, fresh plums, candied orange zest. Complex, tightly meshed, ripe cherries, fine currant, finesse-rich acidity, silky tannins, mineral-salty, very long lasting, a seductive wine of great freshness and delicacy, already very well developed, delicate sweetness on the finish, certain ageing potential for many years to come. (2030-2070). (2/22/23)"

98 points Bettane & Desseauve Guide (2024).