1988 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, Bottle (750ml)

DR96 "This was a vintage that remained tight and closed for a long time. They are just starting to drink this at the chateau apparently, as Salin says it is their dinner wine right now. The salinity is coming through, giving a sappy grip through the mid palate, the effortless racy elegance of an older Cabernet Sauvignon with its truffles, smoked cedar, its grilled black fruits. Colour wise this is very much still intact, just a slight bricking at the edges. A lovely example of how you should never give up on wines from great estates – there will always be a moment when the terroir will out, as we saw on recent tastings of the 1975. The 1988 is certainly having one of those moments, and its long finessed finish should be savoured." JA for DR Dec 2016

RP94 "The 1988 Lafite continues to offer persuasive evidence that it is the wine of the Medoc, as well as a top candidate for the wine of the vintage. Much deeper in color than the 1989, the 1988 has the classic Lafite bouquet of cedar, subtle herbs, dried pit fruits, and cassis. Extremely concentrated, with brilliantly focused flavors and huge tannins, this backward yet impressively endowed Lafite-Rothschild does not enjoy the acclaim of the 1982, 1986, 1989, and 1990, but do not be surprised to see it rivaling those wines in 15-20 years. The wine of the vintage?" RP Aug 1993