Château Lafite-Rothschild 1986, 1er Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, France
Château Lafite Rothschild is situated in Pauillac, North West of Bordeaux with vines first planted in the late 16th century. Lafite’s reputation grew throughout the late 17th century, in 1719 Marquis Nicolas Alexandre de Ségur ensured the wine was served in the court of Versailles. This led to Lafite becoming known as ‘the king’s wine’, with the aristocracy soon regarding Lafite as the only wine to be seen drinking. In 1868 Baron James de Rothschild acquired the estate and established Château Lafite Rothschild. Now run by Saskia de Rothschild, the now globally regarded vineyard covers 112 ha. On average, the vines are around 39 years old-however, Lafite possesses some vines over 100 years old.
Often cited as one of the best vintages of the decade, the 1986 Château Lafite Rothschild is everything you'd want from a full-bodied Pauillac: intense, concentrated and highly structured. On the nose, classic aromas of cedar, graphite and blackberry are present. On the palate, notes of blackcurrant and cedar mingle over finely grained tannins with hints of mint and tobacco. As it continues to evolve, the 1986 vintage demonstrates exceptional quality and ageing potential.
Abv: 12.5%
Drinking window: 2020-2050
Food pairing: Wagyu Beef, Roasted Rack of Lamb
Grape variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Vintages: 1986
Allergen information: Sulphites
Country: France
Region: Pauillac
Wine sweetness: Dry
Wine variety: Red