Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2003

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2003 Lafite Rothschild comes as close to perfection as any of the great Lafites made over the past three decades (1982, 1986, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010). This sensational effort came in at 12.7% natural alcohol, it is made in the style of one of this estate’s great classics, the 1959. Composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color to the rim along with a luxurious bouquet of cedarwood, lead pencil shaving, white chocolate, cocoa and cassis. Fat, rich, opulent and full-bodied with low acidity and stunning seductiveness and complexity, this noble wine possesses a bountiful, generous, heady style. It is just coming into its plateau of maturity where it should hold for 20-25 years. This is one of the candidates for the wine of the vintage – make no mistake about that."

FALSTAFF: "Dunkles Rubingranat, tiefer Farbkern, violette Reflexe, dezente Randaufhellung. Süße, anziehende Röstaromen, exotische Holznuancen, Anklänge von Zedern, Vanille, Kaffee, Lakritze, dazu Cassis und kandierte Veilchen. Am Gaumen stoffige Textur, dunkle Beerenfrucht, präsente, aber seidige Tannine, finessenreich strukturiert, ein hocheleganter Wein voll von jugendlichem Charme, angenehme Karamellnoten im Abgang, gewaltige Länge, bereits sehr einladend, kann noch zulegen."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Spicy and rich, with a tobacco and berry character on the nose and palate I love the nose. Full bodied, with soft velvety tannins that give you so much. This goes on and on. Sexy and exciting right now, but leave this for five or six years. Find the wine"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "This is one of those honey, it's not you, it's me wines. Meaning, I do not always find the greatness in the bottles I've had. Almost for sure, the intense ripeness of the vintage causes bottle variation. At least that's my theory and I'm sticking to it. I've had that same sensation with other 2003 Bordeaux wines as well. On to this bottle, it had it all. It was rich, silky, polished, complex, aromatic, long and deep. OK, it was advanced for its age in color and maturity, but it was truly a stunner!"

WEINWISSER: "Sattes, dunkles Purpur, lila Schimmer. Wohlig warmes Cabernet-Terroirbouquet, Glutamat und Malznoten, Leder, Tabak, Korinthen, schwarze Beeren, ausladend, mit Noblesse. Im Gaumen süss, füllig, viel Charme zeigend, dunkle Pralinen, Cassis und Tahiti-Vanillestängel, malziges Finale mit Rumtönen, einfach berauschend und voller Harmonie. Unlogischerweise schon einen erster Genuss bietend. Ein Zwischenhoch? Im Innern ganz klar ein Jahrhundertwein."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This is a splendid wine. Yes, it is more powerful than the usual aristocratic Lafites, but it still manages to retain a special air of great elegance and presence. The fruits are black, the tannins immensely powerful, the flavors are of black figs, dates, cocoa. At the end, there is a vibrant acidity that shows through, which promises a great life for this great wine. Imported by Diageo Chateau & Estates."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Subtle, complex aromas of berries, licorice and currants. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a long finish. Very well-integrated wine. Lovely stuff. Wonderful length and finesse. Best after 2012. 20,000 cases made."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Dark crimson. Quite severe and obviously left bank. Strong cassis aromas. A sweet start on the palate. Fine, polished, very classy wine. Obviously elegant and extremely fresh on the finish. Excellent lift with very finely etched flavours. A prime example of how unlike the great majority of 2003 red bordeaux the best of those grown in Pauillac and St-Estèphe are."