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Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2003 . Pauillac. Magnum (6). ... (Total: 6 Mags. )
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Description
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2003Pauillac
Magnum (6)
"A modern day version of the 1959 Lafite, the 2003 Lafite Rothschild was bottled in mid-May, 2005 after achieving 12.9% natural alcohol - hardly an astonishing figure given the vintage's weather conditions. A combination of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, it represents a ripe version of the essence of Lafite-Rothschild. Dense purple-colored, with classic notes of graphite intertwined with melted licorice, creme de cassis, smoke, and flowers, it reveals extraordinary richness, opulence, power, purity, intensity, and viscosity. Whether this wine will close down or not is questionable as it is somewhat atypical given its sweetness and softness. Analytically, there are extremely high tannins, which I suspect will assert themselves in the future. Production in 2003 was less than half of normal." (100pts Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #164, April 2006)
"A modern day version of the 1959 Lafite, the 2003 Lafite Rothschild was bottled in mid-May, 2005 after achieving 12.9% natural alcohol – hardly an astonishing figure given the vintage’s weather conditions. A combination of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, it represents a ripe version of the essence of Lafite-Rothschild. Dense purple-colored, with classic notes of graphite intertwined with melted licorice, creme de cassis, smoke, and flowers, it reveals extraordinary richness, opulence, power, purity, intensity, and viscosity." (100 pts. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #164, Apr. 2006)
"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." (100 pts. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #214, Aug. 2014)
"The 2003 Lafite-Rothschild famously shrugged off the merciless heat of that infamous summer when the temperature at the estate nudge 42° Celsius. It has a lovely bouquet of black plum, pressed iris, a touch of glycerin and (for Lafite) exotic scents of blood orange. The palate is powerful and intense as you would expect. There is great depth and volume with glossy black fruit laced with orange zest, smoke and melted tar. You can almost feel the summer in this Lafite-Rothschild but unlike many of its peers, it has requisite acidity to maintain freshness and avoid cloyingness on the finish. Whilst not my pick of modern-day Lafites, I have to doff my cap because it was and still is, one of the finest Left Banks of the vintage." (96 pts. Neal Martin, Vinous, Jul. 2018)
More information about Chateau Lafite Rothschild.
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Key to Condition Descriptions & Bottle Size
Auction Info
2011 December 1-2 Wine Signature Auction- Beverly Hills #5102 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2011
1st
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 2
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 596
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $14) per lot.
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Wine purchases will not be shipped automatically, and are temporarily stored at Heritage Auctions' climate-controlled facility in North Hollywood, CA. Wine shipments require this Delivery Collection Form, and are subject to delays due to extreme weather. Sales Tax information
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Wine purchases will not be shipped automatically, and are temporarily stored at Heritage Auctions' climate-controlled facility in North Hollywood, CA. Wine shipments require this Delivery Collection Form, and are subject to delays due to extreme weather. Sales Tax information
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Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms