Château Lafite Rothschild 1986
Château Lafite Rothschild, a premier cru classé of Pauillac, embodies one of the most emblematic expressions of classic Médoc. Owned by the Rothschild family since the 19th century, the estate extends over an exceptional vineyard situated on gravelly hills overlooking the Gironde estuary. This mosaic of deep gravel, sand, and fine clay offers an ideal terroir for Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate's flagship grape variety. The château's philosophy is based on high-precision viticulture, strictly controlled yields, and meticulous parcel-by-parcel vinification. Each vintage aims to express the nobility of the terroir rather than a demonstrative style, in a constant pursuit of balance and harmony. In this context, Château Lafite Rothschild 1986 stands as an absolute benchmark for lovers of great Bordeaux wines meant for aging.
The 1986 vintage in Pauillac was marked by a long vegetative cycle, a dry and sunny end of the season, and late harvests that favored exceptional tannic maturity. At Lafite, the grapes are handpicked parcel by parcel, then rigorously sorted before being placed in vats. Fermentations are conducted in temperature-controlled tanks, with slow and precise extractions to preserve the fine grain of the tannins. The final blend features a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, then aged for many months in French oak barrels with a high proportion of new wood. This long barrel aging, followed by extended bottle maturation at the château, has polished the structure without erasing the wine's original power. Lafite Rothschild 1986 now presents itself as a great Pauillac at full maturity, while retaining remarkable aging potential for decades to come.
On the palate, Château Lafite Rothschild 1986 offers a nose of rare complexity, blending ripe blackcurrant, blond cigar, pencil lead, precious cedar, and hints of black truffle and fine leather. On the palate, the attack is straight and noble, supported by a tight but now integrated tannic framework that unfolds a matter both deep, flavorful, and remarkably balanced. The mid-palate reveals notes of stewed black fruits, violet, spice box, graphite, and undergrowth, supported by perfectly integrated acidity. The finish, endless, lingers on cedar, tobacco, sweet spices, and a gravelly minerality that characterizes great terroir-driven Pauillacs. At the table, this 1986 finds natural pairings with a matured rib of beef, roasted Pauillac lamb rack, royal hare, game birds, or a well-aged hard cheese. It is best served not too cool, after a delicate decanting, in large glasses that respect the complexity of its bouquet.
