2014 Lafite Rothschild

Tasted blind. Youthfully dark colour. Sweet dark fruit and tea leaves. That sweetness of fruit seems a touch raisined. Juicy, relatively light-bodied so that the tannins are starting to dry on the finish, or do they just need more time? Hard to tell. (JH)

Fine swirls of gunsmoke on the first nose, totally enticing, very much in control, with mouthwatering salinity, fine tannic structure that initially masks the build up of power and concentration, with an expansion through the mid palate of raspberry, cassis, rose petals and tobacco leaf. One of those sapid, mouthwatering, moreish Lafites that beg to be drunk, but are deceptive because will continue to develop over the next decade, then hold on for another two or three. It's delicious, not the most luscious 2014, but elegant and on point.

Very bright crimson. Reticent but convincingly aristocratic on the nose. Suggestion of oyster shells. Far from heavy. Even a little salty and a bit diffuse on the end. Appreciation of this will depend on whether you are a fan of Lafite’s somewhat attenuated style. I’m finding it a little short on fruit for comfort but there is no denying its stylistic integrity. Pretty chewy, drying end. (JR)