Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 1988 - Beautiful and subtle on the nose, with mineral, berry, licorice and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a pretty balance of fruit and mint. Long and caressing. Real claret here. Everyone talks about 1989, but this is very close in quality. -88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Drink now. -JS, Wine Spectator, Issue: Web Only - 2009, Score: 94

 

 

Broodingly backward and in need of considerable bottle age, the 1988 is a classic expression of Lafite. This deeply-colored wine exhibits the tell-tale Lafite bouquet of cedar, subtle herbs, dried pit fruits, minerals, and cassis. Extremely concentrated, with brilliantly focused flavors and huge tannins, this backward, yet impressively endowed Lafite-Rothschild may well turn out to be the wine of the vintage! Anticipated maturity: 2000-2035. Wine Advocate # 95, Oct 1994 Robert Parker 94 Drink: 2000 - 2035, Tasted 7 Times Since Bottling With Consistent Notes