{"product_id":"2016-chateau-lafite-rothschild-pauillac-premier-cru-classe","title":"2016 Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, Premier Cru Classé","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere are five First Growths in Bordeaux, but there is only one Lafite.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2016 is a profound Lafite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe critical consensus is extraordinary: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e100 points from Decanter, Jeb Dunnuck, and James Suckling, with 99 from Wine Advocate and Wine Enthusiast.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e A decade after harvest, this remains a wine measured in decades rather than years. For a serious Bordeaux cellar, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2016 Lafite is not simply a great Pauillac. It is one of the reference-point wines of the vintage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2016 Vintage: A Benchmark Year for Château Lafite Rothschild\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2016 Bordeaux vintage stands among the greatest of the modern era, distinguished by:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExceptional Cabernet Sauvignon ripeness and concentration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRemarkable freshness and precision despite a warm, dry summer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFine-grained tannins and extraordinary structural balance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOutstanding expression of Pauillac's deep gravel terroir\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExceptional longevity, with the potential to evolve for generations\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"mb-2 mt-6 text-lg first:mt-3\"\u003eProvenance Guarantee\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis wine comes with an unimpeachable provenance:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"marker:text-textOff list-disc pl-8\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePurchased Ex Chateau En Primeur in 2017\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReleased between June 2018 and March 2019\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStored at Dartess in Bordeaux\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTransferred to London City Bond in February 2020\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKept in original packaging, undisturbed case\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"mb-2 mt-6 text-lg first:mt-3\"\u003eImpeccable Provenance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese 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. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDon'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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/Chateau_Lafite_Rothschild.jpg?v=1790678483\" alt=\"Château Lafite Rothschild\" style=\"float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47760453402678,"sku":"AT-CLR16PAU-750","price":1550.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/chateau-lafitre-rothschild-2016.jpg?v=1791515070","url":"https:\/\/sommselect.com\/products\/2016-chateau-lafite-rothschild-pauillac-premier-cru-classe","provider":"SommSelect","version":"1.0","type":"link"}