2015 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux - 750ml

100 Points – Wine Enthusiast

Château Lafite Rothschild, a First Growth of the 1855 Classification, produced a particularly composed and Cabernet-driven wine in 2015. The vintage combines impressive concentration with Lafite’s characteristic restraint and aromatic precision, delivering a Pauillac built as much around detail and persistence as sheer power.

Blend: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot.

Tasting Notes: Cassis and black cherry lead into violet, graphite and cedar, with tobacco, subtle spice and a cool mineral character emerging with air. The palate is deep yet remarkably controlled, showing concentrated dark fruit, fine-grained tannins and a long, measured finish that favors precision over weight.

Structure: Full-bodied but finely proportioned, with Cabernet Sauvignon providing a firm, persistent framework and Merlot adding suppleness through the mid-palate. The tannins remain youthful but polished, supported by freshness that gives the wine considerable length and aging potential.

Drink Window: 2028–2060+. The 2015 can certainly be approached today, but it remains youthful and should gain substantially from further bottle age. Another five to ten years should bring greater integration and allow the wine’s cedar, tobacco and savory dimensions to become more prominent.

Decanting: If opening now, decant for approximately 90 minutes to two hours, tasting periodically as it develops. Serve around 60–64°F in a generous Bordeaux glass; this remains a young First Growth and benefits from enough air to reveal its aromatic detail.

The 2015 Lafite is particularly compelling for collectors who favor finesse, precision and long-term evolution over overt richness. It is a natural cellar centerpiece and milestone bottle, with the pedigree and structure to develop for decades while already offering a clear impression of Lafite’s distinctive style.