Lafite Rothschild 1994

Parker: Because Lafite-Rothschild (1) tends to lack the weight of many wines of the northern Medoc, and (2) is never a flashy, ostentatious style of wine, it is often more difficult to evaluate when young than some of its neighbors. Made from nearly 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this dark ruby/purple-colored wine is stubbornly backward, unappealing, and severe and astringent on the palate. There is plenty of weight, and the wine possesses admirable purity, with no suggestion of herbaceousness or underripe fruit, but the wine's personality refuses to be coaxed from the glass. The 1994 Lafite may turn out to be austere and disappointing flavor-wise, but possesses a fabulous set of aromatics (does that sound reminiscent of the 1961, another Lafite that was primarily Cabernet Sauvignon?). I am not giving up on this wine, but purchasers should be willing to wait 15-20 years before pulling a cork. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030.

Falstaff: Kräftiges Rubingranat, erstaunliche Farbtiefe, orangefarbene Reflexe, zarter Wasserrand. In der Nase feine Herzkirschen, etwas Zwetschken, nach feuchtem Unterholz, etwas Zedernholz, Bleistift, etwas Velours. Am Gaumen mittlere Textur, gut gereifte Tannine, frische Säurestruktur, feine Noten von gereiften Zwetschken und etwas Heidelbeeren im Nachhall, ein balancierter, eher leichtfüßiger Speisenbegleiter mit mittlerer Länge, bereits gut antrinkbar.