Christie’s roundel
Lot 10

Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 1990

Closed11 December 2007

Price Realised

EUR 4,830

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In original wooden case

Recently removed from excellent cellarage

Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 1990
Pauillac, 1er cru classé. Château-bottled
In original wooden case
Tasting note: Despite its perceptively purple hue, surprisingly soft and easy though I much preferred the'89 alongside (at the château, April 1991). This attractive, easy fragrant style noted again at the MW tasting of '90s in November 1994. A hugh vote for elegance but low for power at Eigensatz's amazing blind tasting of the very best 1990 reds from around the world. Lafite's fragrance seemed to be self-generating; its fleshy ripeness exemplified by a magnum produced, not for the first time, at one of Rodenstock's annual wine weekends (1998). The Penning-Rowsell '10-year' first growth tasting was much looked forward to by Jancis Robinson and me. We were not disappointed. All the wines were within a point or so. Lafite level pegging with Margaux and Latour. The Lafite was still fairly deep, plummy coloured but maturing; bouquet evolving well; soft, fleshy, good length; complete - all that was needed was time, more bottle age. Its unreadiness for drinking was demonstrated at a Lafite dinner with Eric de Rothschild at Brook's in London. The roast grey partridge was unable to compete. Nevertheless, the penetratingly lovely bouquet and flavour were appreciated. Strange though how a wine so beguiling and easy in its youth can close up. Its second wind eagerly awaited. Last noted Nov 2000 ***(**) 2015-2040? Michael Broadbent, Vintage Wine

11 bottles per lot