Lafite Rothschild 2019 has been released this morning, becoming the first of the First Growths to come out this year. Volumes coming to the market are reportedly down 50% on last year.
The wine was released at €396 per bottle ex-negociant, down 15.7% on the 2018 release (€470). It is being offered by the trade at £5,112 per 12×75, a decrease of 14.8% in sterling terms on the 2018 release of £6,000 per case.
You can watch the UGCB presentation of today’s release here.
Lafite Rothschild was among James Suckling’s top-scoring Bordeaux 2019 wines, with a barrel range of 99-100 points. The critic called it “stunning” and noted that “it’s full-bodied, yet shows such harmony and polish. Elegance and complexity with finesse.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (Wine Advocate) also released her assessment today, awarding Lafite 97-99 points. In her tasting note, she revealed: “In terms of flavor profile, this is a surprisingly (atypically) hedonic, forward expression, with notably lower acidity/higher pH (the pH is 3.9). The alcohol is 13.4%, just a tick higher than the 2018 (13.3%). And yet, the tannins here are unmistakably Lafite, featuring all the tannic grace, finesse and densely pixilated poise fans will expect. What an exciting paradox for the palate—bravo!”
According to Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider, 98-100), “this is a beautiful example of what Chateau Lafite Rothschild does best”.
Based on today’s release price, a score of 93+ would already make the 2019 sit on the ‘Fair Value’ line as the chart below shows.
For followers of Suckling, Leve and Perrotti-Brown, therefore, today’s release appears of very good value, sitting well below the regression line.
For those not lucky enough to secure an allocation, the 2014 and 2017 are available on the secondary market below today’s release price. Both received 95 points from Neal Martin. The 2016 (NM 98) might also appeal to buyers, though it comes at a 12.7% premium.
Lafite Rothschild has been the most traded wine (LWIN7) on Liv-ex since 2003 (bar in 2007 when Mouton took the top spot). Its 2017 vintage led regional value trade in May.
Looking for more?
Our Bordeaux 2019 pages contain everything you need to know about this year’s En Primeur campaign; analysis tools, critics scores, reports and more.
