IWFS Lafite Big Bottles
The Modern
Tasted October 17, 2022 by MC2 Wines with 137 views
Introduction
It should be said that Lafite is probably the first growth I have the least experience with and the few times I have experienced it in the past I've usually been underwhelmed. When IWFS NY decided to do a big bottle tasting direct from the cellar I figured if ever there was a time to like the wine this would be it. And indeed it was. The '75 was a truly great wine. The rest were all quite good. Many still drinking quite young, but to be expected given the quality of the vintages and the size of the bottles.
Flight 1 - Reception (1 note)
Chef's Seasonal Selection of Passed Canapes
(this included a very tasty beef tartare on a fancy potato chip and a gougeres cheesy bread both of which were excellent with the champagne)
White - Sparkling
2006 Henriot Champagne Cuvée Hemera
France, Champagne
Nice set of bubbles to start the night. I hadn't had this bottling before but it was quite enjoyable. A bit round and maybe a hint buttery and really seemed to go great with the tartare on a fancy potato chip and the gougeres (sp?). Nice way to start the meal.
Flight 2 - Appetizer (1 note)
Butternut Squash Soup with Ginger and Creme Fraiche
Red
1975 Château Lafite Rothschild
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Not well loved by most of the room but this was my WOTN. Great and stayed great throughout the evening (my last sip of the night before I finished my champagne was this wine). It's a bit almost minty in style. Lots of potpourri. There's dark dried fruits. Very expressive. From a double magnum from the estate.
Flight 3 - Course I (1 note)
Sheep's Milk Ricotta Ravioli with Pistachio and Basil
Red
1985 Château Lafite Rothschild
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
This was most people's WOTN. It was certainly very good. Lots of granite and pencil shavings and to me came across as a lot more secondary. Out of a 6L and of course there's always something to be said for the big bottle which was impressive in its own right. Drinks nicely.
Flight 4 - Course II (1 note)
Dry Aged Duck with Endive and Meyer Lemon
Possibly my most favorite duck that I have ever had. It was that good
Red
1990 Château Lafite Rothschild
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Probably my pick for the long run wine. This was all blackberry and brambles and just a hint of secondary maybe but still quite primary. By far the most fruit in the line-up. It's a wine that I suspect could be really interesting with more time. Quite forward at the moment, but there's the stuffing for the finesse to come through as the fruit tones down a touch. From an Imperial and again, who doesn't love truly big bottles?
Flight 5 - Course III (1 note)
Roasted Beef Tenderloin of Celeriac, Savoy Cabbage and Truffle Sauce
Red
2000 Château Lafite Rothschild
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Perhaps because I haven't spent a ton of time with this wine to me this is still in the obviously too young phase. It's lots of spices and again some black fruit and interestingly enough more integrated at this stage than the '90 (from a magnum which may explain some of the differences). There is an intensity here although you can see the finesse that Saskia references. It's drinking well but I'd want some more decades.
Flight 6 - Dessert (1 note)
Chef's Selection of Cheese
Red
2009 Château Lafite Rothschild
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac
Almost more approachable than the 2000 although also seems like it might be in a bit of a 'dead' phase. Just all around quieter and more muted than the rest. Some black fruits and very soft in style. Less energy. From a magnum.
Closing
Overall a lovely evening made more so by the wonderful food from the Modern. Sometimes food struggles to live up to the wine but I'd say this was an evenly match pairing. First event I've made with the NY chapter but I hope not my last. Very well done.
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