2023 Bordeaux Wine Magazine: Lafite Rothschild 2022 tasting notes and ratings on futures and ratings “en primeur” by Ronald Rens, M.Sc., Wine Master, Bordeaux Expert
Saskia de Rothschild introduced me to her magic
Lafite derives its name for an old French word meaning little hill or mount. Driving up to Lafite it is clear where the best plots are located. The hill provides drainage, and exposure to the sun. Next to this famous hill we find the chateau. I tasted the Lafite Rothschild 2022 in the professional tasting room with Saskia de Rothschild, the current CEO of this First Growth and Eric Kohler, the Technical Director at Lafite.
Kohler commented on the high temperatures in the vintage and explained that the vines apparently are getting used to these higher temperatures. The vines are older now and they seem to cope so far: “We have less density in the vineyards than before. (8-9.000 vines per hectare, from previously 9-10.000 vines per hectare). In the old days we wanted the vines to compete with one and other. That used to work in the old days, now we must adapt,” he explained with his signature modest smile.
Saskia de Rothschild introduced me to her magic: “There must be something magical at work in this vintage. It made me think of sleep apnea. The vines kind of shut down and then all of the sudden, they started to breathe again.”
Ronald on the Lafite 2022: On the palate it is the complexity that hits you
Saskia explained to me that the tannins were a challenge at Lafite because there were so many. “Fortunately, they were perfectly ripe, and we could even use 17% of the pressed wine, the highest percentage ever.” She then explained that another major challenge was the extraction: “We did a very short extraction. After three days the wines were already almost black.”
Carruades de Lafite (19- points/20)
[40% Merlot, 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc]
The wine shows a clear purple and red color with a somewhat lighter rim. Rather closed on the nose, more closed than I remember from earlier vintages. After a while some discreet hints of red and black fruit.
On the palate the wine is elegant and refined with some hints of chocolate at the end. Very long indeed, especially for a second wine. Having said that, we should realize that this is one of the best second wines in the world. The Carruades expresses the remarkable freshness of the vintage. Very good indeed.
Lafite Rothschild 2022 (19,5+ points/20)
[94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot]
Eric Kohler: “Our vines are getting used to higher temperatures”
Deep garnet red color with a beautiful intense purple rim. On the nose the wines doesn’t show much but don’t worry, I have seen this before in other vintages and the nose will show up with a few years. On the palate it is the complexity that hits you. There is so much going on in this excellent Lafite. Very long indeed with the signature elegance and elegant tannins of a great Lafite. Some chocolate towards the end. I found some hints of liquorice. From beginning to the end, a perfect balance, and a good tension. Discreet red fruit. Incredibly long.
This is my first First Growth of the day. I am afraid I may need extra points above my max of 20/20.
More Bordeaux 2022 tasting notes and ratings:
| 2022 Chateau Ausone | 2022 Chateau Cheval Blanc | 2022 Chateau Angelus | 2022 Chateau Pavie |
|2022 Chateau Lafite Rothschild | 2022 Chateau Mouton Rothschild | 2022 Chateau Latour | 2022 Chateau Margaux |
Back to 2022 Bordeaux Vintage Special -2- Right BankBack to 2022 Bordeaux Vintage Special -1- Left Bank
