There are five First Growths in Bordeaux, but there is only one Lafite. Perched on the gravel rises of northern Pauillac, Château Lafite Rothschild has spent centuries defining the more cerebral side of great Bordeaux: less about sheer mass than precision, perfume, structure, and an almost uncanny ability to evolve for generations.

The 2016 is a profound Lafite, marrying the power of an exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon vintage with the château's unmistakable restraint. Cassis, blackberry, graphite, cedar, violet, tobacco, and crushed stone unfold slowly from an extraordinarily structured core, with fine-grained tannins and remarkable freshness carrying the wine through a seemingly endless finish. As with the Grand Vin every year, only the finest lots make the final blend before aging for 15 months in new oak barrels produced at Lafite's own cooperage.

The critical consensus is extraordinary: 100 points from Decanter, Jeb Dunnuck, and James Suckling, with 99 from Wine Advocate and Wine Enthusiast. A decade after harvest, this remains a wine measured in decades rather than years. For a serious Bordeaux cellar, 2016 Lafite is not simply a great Pauillac. It is one of the reference-point wines of the vintage.

2016 Vintage: A Benchmark Year for Château Lafite Rothschild

The 2016 Bordeaux vintage stands among the greatest of the modern era, distinguished by:

• Exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon ripeness and concentration

• Remarkable freshness and precision despite a warm, dry summer

• Fine-grained tannins and extraordinary structural balance

• Outstanding expression of Pauillac's deep gravel terroir

• Exceptional longevity, with the potential to evolve for generations

In Pauillac, a wet spring replenished water reserves before a prolonged, dry summer encouraged deep root development and concentrated fruit. Timely September rainfall and a favorable autumn allowed Cabernet Sauvignon to achieve remarkable maturity without sacrificing freshness. At Château Lafite Rothschild, these conditions produced a wine of extraordinary depth and restraint. Layers of cassis, blackberry, violet, cedar, and graphite unfold around a powerful yet remarkably refined tannic structure, while vibrant acidity and persistent minerality provide exceptional definition. Combining the concentration of a monumental vintage with Lafite's signature elegance, the 2016 is a benchmark First Growth built for decades of evolution.

Provenance Guarantee

This wine comes with an unimpeachable provenance:

• Purchased Ex Chateau En Primeur in 2017
• Released between June 2018 and March 2019
• Stored at Dartess in Bordeaux
• Transferred to London City Bond in February 2020
• Kept in original packaging, undisturbed case

Impeccable Provenance

These wines were acquired through an approved Bordeaux négociant as futures in 2017. Upon release from the châteaux between June 2018 and March 2019, they were stored at Dartess in Bordeaux before being transferred to London City Bond in February 2020. Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a piece of Bordeaux history. With limited quantities available, these wines represent the perfect gift for the discerning oenophile or a treasured addition to any cellar.