Wines Pauillac Château Lafite Rothschild - 1996

Château Lafite Rothschild 1996 is an exceptional Pauillac wine, standing as one of Bordeaux’s most esteemed Grands Crus. The wine is predominantly crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Merlot, and occasionally small proportions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, each contributing to its complexity and longevity. The 1996 vintage, remarkably favourable for Cabernet Sauvignon, benefitted from a classic Bordeaux growing season: mild spring, hot dry summer, and well-timed September rainfall, resulting in grapes with pristine ripeness and firm tannic structure. Lafite Rothschild wines are known for their finesse, subtlety and aromatic complexity, shaped by meticulous vinification in state-of-the-art facilities and extensive oak ageing in the Château’s legendary cellars. The deep, garnet-hued 1996 offers remarkable purity of blackcurrant, cedar, graphite, and fine tobacco, underscored by a palate of tremendous poise, with silken tannins and a long, enchanting finish.

The Pauillac appellation, at the heart of the Médoc on Bordeaux’s Left Bank, sits upon meagre gravel soils that provide superb drainage—an environment perfectly suited to Cabernet Sauvignon’s needs. The close proximity to the Gironde estuary moderates the local climate, reducing frost risk in winter and heat extremes in summer, allowing grapes to ripen with great balance and nuance. Château Lafite Rothschild has a storied heritage dating back to the 17th century, earning an international reputation for quality and elegance, affirmed by its 1855 classification as a Premier Cru. The gravelly terroir, combined with the estate’s mastery, yields wines with captivating aromas, cool precision, and lasting elegance.

Given its remarkable structure and aromatic depth, this wine calls for refined dishes such as roasted rack of lamb with rosemary, classic entrecôte à la bordelaise, or wild game with black truffle sauce. For a regional touch, serve with duck breast or a rich mushroom fricassée. Artisanal aged cheeses like Comté or Ossau-Iraty also complement its complexity brilliantly.

For optimal enjoyment, decant gently for at least two hours to allow the bouquet to unfurl fully. Serve at 17-18°C in fine Bordeaux glasses. This mature Pauillac will reward patient appreciation, revealing layer after layer of its noble character.