{"product_id":"chateau-lafite-rothschild-pauillac-premier-grand-cru-classe-2009-750ml","title":"Château Lafite Rothschild Pauillac (Premier Grand Cru Classé) 2009 (750ml)","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe first known reference to Lafite dates to 1234 with Gombaud de Lafite and Lafite’s mention as a medieval fief dates to the 14th century. Baron James de Rothschild purchased Château Lafite in 1868 and has remained under Rothschild family ownership since. Through the years, Château Lafite sustained natural disasters, wars and crises. After World War II, the Barons de Rothschild recovered possession of Château Lafite Rothschild and revitalized the estate’s business. Baron Elie led a program to restore the vineyards and buildings while fully restructuring the property’s administration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBaron Eric de Rothschild, nephew of Baron Elie, currently manages the estate and Rothschild properties around the world. Baron Eric’s management of the estate has made forward strides through research and the gradual addition of a new technical team. The vineyards have been replanted and restored, while the use of fertilizers and herbicides have been reevaluated. In the chais, a stainless steel tank complex alongside oak tanks, and a new circular aging chai were constructed under the supervision of Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill. The new chai design style was acclaimed for its innovative character and uncompromising spirit and can hold 2,200 barrels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe estate encompasses 440 acres, 276 acres being vineyards planted to Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (2%). The vineyard features three major areas: the hillsides around the Chateau, the adjacent Carruades plateau to the west and 11 acres in neighboring Saint Estephe. The average age of the grapevines is 39 years old, but it should be noted that vines younger than 10 years old are not used in the Grand Vin. This means that the average age of the vines used in the Grand Vin (Château Lafite Rothschild) is closer to 45 years. The oldest plot, called “La Gravière , was planted in 1886.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCharles Chevallier is Technical Director of the Bourdeaux Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Duhart-Milon,Château L’Evangile and Château Rieussec. Mr. Chevallier comes from a family of wine-growers in Lunel in the Coteaux du Languedoc. He graduated from the Ecole Supérieure d’Agriculture of Purpan in Toulouse as an Agricultural Engineer and later continued studies in Research and development of phytosanitary products for winegrowing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIn 1979, Mr. Chevallier became the Technical Department Director (vine, cereals, herbal medicine) in a Cooperative at the Union Agricole des pays de la Loire in Thouarcé . In 1983, Mr. Chevallier joined the prestigious Bourdeaux wineries as Technical Deputy Director for Château Lafite Rothschild. Subsequently he became the Technical Manager for Château Rieussec, and Technical Director for Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Duhart-Milon,Château L’Evangile and Château Rieussec.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIn January 2016, Charles retired from his role as Technical Director of the Bordeaux Châteaux and assumed the role of Senior Advisor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEric Kohler, Technical Director of the Bordeaux Châteaux, is assisted by oenologist and winemaker Christophe Congé, and vineyard manager Louis Caillard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA deep bouquet of dark fruit and licorice. The palate is full-bodied and already expressive, but then becomes tighter, expressing power and exuberance. The youth of this Lafite does not hide its energy, but the distinctive elegance and complexity are already there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBlend: 82.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 0.5% Petit Verdot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCritical Acclaim\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJS100\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJames Suckling\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis is what the Medoc is all about. The freshness and delicacy of this wine in combination with its serious concentration and firm core are totally stunning. Time has already worked its magic and this is already delicious, but has decades in front of it. Drink or hold.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWW99\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWilfred Wong of Wine.com\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOne of the greatest red wines I have tasted in its youth. Rich and long, plenty and fine; this is a really long wine with lots of grip and a powerful style that I don't often see in Lafite. Yet there is plenty of elegance here. A really complete wine with lots of future and rewards to come. (98-100) (Best Served 2029-2040)\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWS98\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWine Spectator\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis is stunning for its ability to take massively endowed fig, currant paste and crushed plum fruit flavors and harness them with ultrasuave freshly roasted espresso, black tea and ganache notes. A seductive style, long and velvety, with the dense core of black fruit and smoldering iron just waiting and waiting. Best from 2020 through 2040.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eD98\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDecanter\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIt displays, as Lafite always does, more of a laid back elegance than Latour, and the difference between the two once again highlights the huge differences in terroir between north and south Pauillac, with the deep gravels here giving finesse, composure, almost nonchalance. It tames with a whisper, bringing you to submission by gently, purposefully and ever so slowly layering one thing on top of another. It has gorgeously pure and precise fruit on the nose, while the palate displays a multitude of flavours, from charcoal to cassis to crushed stone, and yet no one thing dominates. There are a ton of tannins, but they are individually fine, and it's only in retrospect that you realise how many of them there are. The tone of Lafite is speaking over the vintage, and it's going to run and run.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRP97\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRobert Parker's Wine Advocate\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe deep garnet colored 2009 Lafite Rothschild bursts from the glass with red and black currant preserves, warm plums, mulberries and kirsch scents plus suggestions of sweaty leather, cigar box and menthol. Medium-bodied, elegant and firmly structured, it has wonderful freshness and a long earthy\/meaty finish.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWE97\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWine Enthusiast\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA powerful expression of Cabernet Sauvignon, solid in structure. The wine is rich and concentrated, very textured. Great spice goes with just enough fresh acidity, in this big wine.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBarrel Sample: 95-97\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Château Lafite Rothschild","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42976031867104,"sku":"111444","price":1839.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0649\/9713\/0464\/products\/chateau-lafite-rothschild-pauillac-premier-grand-cru-classe_1_de71f4a6-849a-4a9d-b1fb-75186340d8b5.jpg?v=1663884182","url":"https:\/\/www.mywineconnection.com\/products\/chateau-lafite-rothschild-pauillac-premier-grand-cru-classe-2009-750ml","provider":"My Wine Connection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}