Chateau Lafite Rothschild
Premiers Crus
In 1755 King Louis XV of France commented to one of his governors, Marshal the Duke of Richelieu, that he was looking younger than ever. -"I must tell your Majesty," replied the 60 year old Marshal, "that I have discovered the Secret of Eternal Youth: the wine of Chateau Lafite, a generous cordial, delicious nectar fit for the Gods." From then on, Chateau Lafite became known as the “King’s wine” and was served at all the dinner parties held at Versailles.
Ranked as number one in the 1855 classification, Lafite continues today as the star among the Médoc’s first growths, producing riveting wines in every vintage. Located in the north of the Pauillac appellation, Lafite Rothschild is also one of the largest Médoc estates. It has around 100 hectares of vineyards planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (20%) and Cabernet Franc (10%). The oldest plot on the estate is 115 years old. The 1996 was the wine of the vintage, and the 1997 was unquestionably the finest first growth of the year. Since 1998, the winery uses a specially designed bottle in order to prevent imitations.
Of all the Grand Cru Bordeaux, Lafite Rothschild can be the most beguiling and difficult to understand. It is never the most powerful, yet, it possesses the most exquisite bouquet of any Médoc wine. It has the elegance, balance and harmony that epitomizes claret at its very best.
|
