2002 Lafite Rothschild

A brilliant offering and a candidate for wine of the vintage, this is classic Lafite that reminded me somewhat of the 1976, although the vintage conditions were completely different. This is a medium-weight, quintessentially elegant style of Lafite with notes of lead pencil shavings/graphite along with black currants, plums, and crushed rocks/mineral. Wonderfully pure, dense, with a deep ruby/purple color and loads of fruit, definition, and a long finish, this is a brilliant, elegant Lafite Rothschild that builds incrementally in the mouth and has more power and density than it initially seems. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2025.
Robert Parker 94

Bubbling over with crushed berries, currants and spices, with tobacco notes. Beautiful. Full-bodied, with gorgeously velvety tannins and a long finish of pretty fruit. This is a racy yet elegant Lafite. Classy. Best after 2010. 16,000 cases made. –JS
Wine Spectator 95 pts.

(87% cabernet sauvignon, 9.5% merlot and 3.5% cabernet franc) Bright medium ruby. Brooding, precise, perfumed aromas of raw cassis, blueberry, bitter cherry, violet, cedar, bitter chocolate and camphor. Pure, austere and penetrating; almost painfully intense today and closed in on itself, with its acids and tannins currently in opposition. Shows a slight bitter streak, as young Lafite often does in firm vintages. But the very long, slow-mounting finish and superb clarity of flavor suggest that this will be an excellent Lafite, in a distinctly uncompromising style. -- Stephen Tanzer Vinous 91-95