Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2008, Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classe

96/100 Decanter "Commemorating the advent of Lafite's Shandong project, the 2008 vintage carries the symbolic Chinese character ‘?’ (eight) on the bottle. A pronounced nose of menthol and forest floor unveils dark cherry and blackcurrant, seasoned with thyme and savoury leather. The palate reveals tar, leather, and blackcurrant, presenting itself as comfortably drinkable yet still holding a hidden grip. Gentle and elegant, with a chocolatey texture that caresses the pure, intense cassis; it is complex and extremely long. This wine still has decades ahead. ."

18/20 Jancis Robinson "Blackish crimson. Well-mannered nose with lots of subtlety and a hint of well-polished leather. Very juicy with lots of palate impact but still very unresolved with more than a hint of acidity. Rather exotic and spicy with glamorously managed tannins. Marked freshness. Very 2008! Finishes very cool – nothing at all sweet and rich about this."