(Not a) birthday dinner (Hinsdale, IL): To be sure, not at the level of the ex-domaine bottle at a HDH tasting a few years back. Others felt it thin, and they were right. But that is more a statement relative to great bottles of this wine, but this is nevertheless incredible Bordeaux (though not at the level of Latour). This is everything that you want in a Pauillac -- all that cedar, leather, and dark fruit. It's still intense and brilliant with tons of complexity and still a fair bit of grainy tannin. This is one of the best vintages of this generally overrated estate.
The best example of this wine I have ever tasted was simply beautiful. The dried flowers, cedar, tobacco, and spicy red currant perfumed notes were the perfect introduction. The palate was clearly its equal, as the textures balanced suppleness, with vibrancy, refinement, and elegance, finishing with purity in the red fruits and almost soft, creamy tannins. Just starting to wake up, this is going to age for decades. Drink from 2024-2060.
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Whole Lotta Lafite; 1/26/2024-1/27/2024 (Wine Watch, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida): While this bottle was not nearly as impressive as one from last month it still proves 1990 is a highly successful vintage for Lafite with no roasted or green characteristics. Questionably high in alcohol on the palate which fortunately only detracts very slightly. Creamy texture. Ripe but not overripe. Just lacking the focus of the best bottles. In its early maturity stage and the one to reach for if you want to drink Lafite without too much risk.
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Rather shy at first, gradually unveiling its charms as it breathes. Lots of black cherry fruit, excellent acidity, medium tannins. Needs a few more years to achieve focus but delicious already.
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In keeping with my June 2022 tasting note, this remains quite unevolved. There’s Lafite personality to be sure, and the cassis, cedar pencil, sandalwood, gingerbread notes in moderate volume are pleasant… but I think we’re all looking for more than pleasant with Lafite. And Lafite has more than pleasant to offer. But it’s important to stop drinking these for now. Drink something else. Wait for these.
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2/22/2024 - acyso wrote: 95 Points
(Not a) birthday dinner (Hinsdale, IL): To be sure, not at the level of the ex-domaine bottle at a HDH tasting a few years back. Others felt it thin, and they were right. But that is more a statement relative to great bottles of this wine, but this is nevertheless incredible Bordeaux (though not at the level of Latour). This is everything that you want in a Pauillac -- all that cedar, leather, and dark fruit. It's still intense and brilliant with tons of complexity and still a fair bit of grainy tannin. This is one of the best vintages of this generally overrated estate.
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2/4/2024 - Jeff Leve wrote: 96 Points
The best example of this wine I have ever tasted was simply beautiful. The dried flowers, cedar, tobacco, and spicy red currant perfumed notes were the perfect introduction. The palate was clearly its equal, as the textures balanced suppleness, with vibrancy, refinement, and elegance, finishing with purity in the red fruits and almost soft, creamy tannins. Just starting to wake up, this is going to age for decades. Drink from 2024-2060.
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1/27/2024 - sdr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Whole Lotta Lafite; 1/26/2024-1/27/2024 (Wine Watch, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida): While this bottle was not nearly as impressive as one from last month it still proves 1990 is a highly successful vintage for Lafite with no roasted or green characteristics. Questionably high in alcohol on the palate which fortunately only detracts very slightly. Creamy texture. Ripe but not overripe. Just lacking the focus of the best bottles. In its early maturity stage and the one to reach for if you want to drink Lafite without too much risk.
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12/23/2023 - sdr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Rather shy at first, gradually unveiling its charms as it breathes. Lots of black cherry fruit, excellent acidity, medium tannins. Needs a few more years to achieve focus but delicious already.
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11/19/2023 - englishman's claret wrote:
In keeping with my June 2022 tasting note, this remains quite unevolved. There’s Lafite personality to be sure, and the cassis, cedar pencil, sandalwood, gingerbread notes in moderate volume are pleasant… but I think we’re all looking for more than pleasant with Lafite. And Lafite has more than pleasant to offer. But it’s important to stop drinking these for now. Drink something else. Wait for these.
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