A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot, the 1998 Lafite Rothschild is deep garnet with a hint of brick and gorgeous notions of sandalwood, crème de cassis, smoked meats, black pepper and garrigue with touches of chargrill, dried herbs and mincemeat pie. Medium-bodied, soft and plush on the palate, it has tons of mouth-filling savory and plum preserves flavors and a very long, savory finish. Delicious now, it should keep for 15-20 more years. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Amazing aromas of crushed blackberries toasted oak and currant spices. Really a great nose. Full-bodied with round and velvety tannins and a long long finish. It lasts for minutes on the palate. Superb. Best wine of the Médoc without a doubt.-'88/'98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Best after 2011. 21665 cases made. -JS

With 2 hours, give or take of decanting, the wine has body and depth, but it's also reticent. Tobacco leaf, cigar box, cedar, herbs, green peppers, and red currants show, but there is a distinctive green note on the nose and palate that is becoming more apparent, along with some dryness in the finish. Lovers of old-school-styled Bordeaux will probably like this more than I did. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=1998&wine=Chateau%20Lafite%20Rothschild