Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 2021

98 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "[$620 list] This wine is the essence of Bordeaux Cabernet. Dominated by this variety at 96%, it exudes tannins and black-currant fruits. Structure is all there, backed by acidity. It is a wine for serious aging. Drink at the earliest from 2028. (Jul 2024)"

96-98 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Flowers, blackberries, charcoal, cigar box, black currants, spice, cedar, graphite and tobacco come through on the nose with a bit of coaxing. On the palate, the wine offers a pure expression of red fruits, black cherries, spice and a touch of orange rind, along with boysenberry, licorice and red plums on the backend. This is an elegant, regal, classic style of Lafite Rothschild that will age and evolve quite well. The wine is complete from start to finish and was produced from blending 96% Cabernet Sauvignon. 3% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot. 12.6% ABV, 3.9 pH. Drink from 2032-2060. (5/20/22)"

97 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2021 Lafite-Rothschild is every bit as exceptional as it was from barrel. The high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon comes through loud and clear. All the elements are so well balanced. The 2021 is dark, racy and full of Lafite sensuality, all kicked up by the natural intensity of the year. Dark red/purplish fruit, mint, lavender and rose petal are all on display. It’s not a showy wine, and it will need quite a bit of time to fully reveal its charms. Drink: 2031-2081. (Feb 2024)"

97 points James Suckling: "Reminiscent of the 1995 Lafite but modern, this wine is extremely aromatic, showing lead pencil, currants, blackberries, black olives and smoke with some gunpowder. Notes of iodine, stone, blood and ink. It is medium-bodied, with very fine and creamy tannins that show so much finesse and length. Racy at the end. 96% cabernet sauvignon, 3% merlot, 1% petit verdot. Give this four or five years to open. (7/8/24)"

97 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "I loved this wine during en primeur and I love it still, hovering over giving it 98 points. It’s round and lively but also full and complete, not plush or opulent but supple with intensity and a really enjoyable, juicy acidity and chalky, mineral grip to the tannins. It’s not trying too hard yet still displays power: such concentration and balance. The 96% Cabernet works so well and gives Lafite a star performer this year. This is one you're still going to want to crack open and finish, in 10, 20 or 30 years. Drinking Window: 2027-2054. (11/30/23)"

97 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Dark ruby, deep core, purple reflections, subtle ochre brightening on the rim. On the nose, a hint of spice and a touch of orange, mineral character, sweet cherry and fresh plum. Juicy and elegant on the palate with a subtle sweetness and a pleasant interplay between the acidity, fruit and ripe tannins, a salty note and amazing length. A delicate food wine with definite ageing potential. (3/22/24)"

96+ points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "To my palate, the 2021 Lafite Rothschild has emerged as the finest of the Pauillac first growths this year. Wafting from the glass with aromas of dark minty berries mingled with notions of iris, licorice and cigar box, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a velvety attack that segues into an elegantly dense and structured mid-palate that's nicely framed by sweet but abundant tannins, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. Drink: 2031-2065. (2/8/24)"

96 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot). One of the wines of the vintage, as it was En Primeur, and delivers grip and character, laced with slate, graceful cool blue and black fruit. Finessed tannins opens to show waves of sage, liqourice root, cloves and forest floor. Almost entirely Cabernet Sauvignon, with the Petit Verdot slice from 100 year old grapes. 34hl/h yield, harvest September 22 to October 8, 90% new oak for ageing. A long-ageing wine within the context of the vintage, and a reminder that this is a wine that takes all kind of weather conditions in its stride. 1st year organic conversion. Alcohol 12.5%. Drink: 2028-2041. (1/26/24)"

96 points Rod Smith (TimAtkin.com) (May 2022).