Château Lafite Rothschild, one of Bordeaux’s most revered First Growth estates, is known for its finesse, purity, and extraordinary ageing capacity. Even in cooler, more challenging vintages, Lafite’s meticulous vineyard work and uncompromising selection result in wines of exceptional balance and refinement. The 2011 vintage is a graceful, classically styled expression of the estate’s timeless character.
VineyardLafite’s vineyards sit atop Pauillac’s finest deep gravel croupes, with limestone beneath—soils ideally suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. These well-drained sites enhance aromatic lift, mineral precision, and the château’s hallmark notes of graphite and cedar. Old-vine Cabernet forms the backbone of the grand vin, complemented by Merlot and small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Vintage2011 was an early, cool vintage with a challenging growing season across Bordeaux. However, leading estates like Lafite managed conditions expertly through rigorous green harvesting and fastidious sorting. The result is a wine of freshness, elegance, and finely etched structure—more delicate than the surrounding blockbuster years, but remarkably charming and age-worthy.
Tasting NotesThe 2011 Château Lafite Rothschild offers refined aromatics of redcurrant, cassis, cedar, graphite, tobacco leaf, and dried violets. The palate is medium-bodied, polished, and beautifully balanced, with silky tannins and bright acidity. Layers of red fruit, savoury spice, and classic Pauillac minerality lead into a long, linear, and harmonious finish. A graceful, understated Lafite drinking superbly now and still evolving.
Critics’ Acclaim
Praised for aromatic clarity, purity, and classical structure
A standout release in a cooler vintage, admired for finesse over power
Technical Information
Region: Pauillac, Bordeaux
Classification: Premier Grand Cru Classé (First Growth)
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant
Alcohol: ~12.5%
Drinking Window: Now–2040
A Collectible GemThe 2011 Château Lafite Rothschild is a beautifully balanced, elegant, and classical Pauillac—refined, aromatic, and superbly harmonious. A wonderful choice for collectors seeking a poised, earlier-drinking expression of this great First Growth.