Tasting the 2001 Chateau Lafite Rothschild with Director Charles Chevallier.
A visit of Bordeaux’s left bank is not complete without a stop off at the world renown first growth estate Chateau Lafite Rothschild. Under the Rothschild name since 1868, the name Lafite is synonomous with the highest of pedigree and defines the best of its terroir in Pauillac. These wines are predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, a small amount of Merlot and just a tiny percent of Petit Verdot (and Cabernet Franc in selected vintages).
We met with director Charles Chevallier, who opened a bottle of the 2001 vintage for us to taste. I clearly recall wine experts and journalists curbing any enthusiasm over the vintage, comparing it to the famed 2000 “vintage of the century.” Yet now, some ten years later, it’s clear that this view was a far overdone, the estate producing a truly outstanding, classic Lafite. As you’ll hear in the video with Charles, this Lafite is simply gorgeous with aromas of creme di cassis, blackberry along with leather, tobacco, cedar, licorice and just a trace of oak. The wine is just entering its drinking window and should continue to develop over the next couple of decades.
And don’t miss our upcoming videos with Charles in the cellar as he explains his wine making approach and speaks with us about the future challenges facing Bordeaux.