So much sweet tobacco, Spanish cedar, dried flowers, dark mushrooms and roses. Really aromatic. This is so polished and very powerful, yet ethereal and refined at the same time. The finish goes on for minutes. Tight and harmonious. You want to drink it! So balanced, yet it will age beautifully. It will be this good forever. 94% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Better after 2031.

One of the greatest wines produced in Bordeaux this year is the 2019 Lafite Rothschild, an impeccably balanced classic of immense charm and grace. Wafting from the glass with arresting aromas of cassis, blackberries and cherries mingled with violets, cigar box and warm spices, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and seamless, its velvety attack segueing into a layered, concentrated mid-palate framed by exquisitely powdery tannins and ripe acids, and concluding with a long, perfumed finish. This rivals the 2010 and 2016 as the greatest Lafite of the decade, and of those three vintages, it's clearly the most sensual and demonstrative out of the gates. The blend contains fully 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and attained a modest 13.4% alcohol. - William Kelley

A stunning example of Lafite Rothschild, the wine is deep, ruby in color. The attention seeking perfume serves up its Cuban cigar wrapper, roses, spice box, cedar, lead pencil and array of red fruits and blackberries easily. The most refined of all the First Growths, the 2019 is a modern version of classic Bordeaux at its best. Perfectly balanced, elegant, and deftly situated on the corner of power and harmony, the finish lingers and expands with its layers of sweet, fresh, pure, bright, crisp red fruits, spice, and herbs. The wine blends 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. Patient consumers will be rewarded if they are willing to wait before opening a bottle. Drink from 2030-2065.

There is a sense of discretion to this Lafite, full of pencil lead, crayon, chalk-textured minerality, clear grain and grip to the tannins that lets everything unfold slowly and calmly, no drama and yet a slow-building sense of power. Enjoyable precision and chiseling to the spiced cassis and bilberry fruits, this feels supremely Lafite in its balance and finesse. The tight structure relaxes in the glass, adding a layer of creaminess to the blackberry and loganberry fruit. A large majority of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend, and it takes up its dominant role with grace. Brilliant quality. Harvest September 19 to October 7. Lafite always takes its time to show its full potential, and this could easily be a 100 point wine at the 10 year-plus window.

The Grand Vin 2019 Château Lafite Rothschild is based on 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot that hit 13.4% natural alcohol with a pH of 3.9. It's a pure, seamless, incredibly accessible Lafite offering a beautiful, classic array of ripe currants, spice box, tobacco, and classic Lafite sandalwood and lead pencil nuances. Medium to full-bodied and beautifully balanced on the palate, it has a seamless, layered mouthfeel, just about perfect tannins, and a finish that just keeps you coming back to the glass. Despite the high pH, it remains fresh, lively, and a perfect example of the class this estate is known for. It's up-front and accessible (and I'd gladly drink a bottle), but smart money will hide bottles for just 5-7 years and enjoy them over the coming 30-40 years.

The 2019 Lafite-Rothschild has a most earthy bouquet with warm gravel and black olive scents percolating through the black fruit. Warm bricks on a hot sunny afternoon. The palate is medium-bodied with gorgeous, saturated yet firm tannins that frame the layers of mineral-laden black fruit. This is a live wire, so tensile and focused towards the finish with a fabulously long aftertaste. Marvelous. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. -- Neal Martin

A very energetic wine, with wild loganberry, mulberry and black currant fruit flavors that bristle with mouthwatering bay leaf, licorice root and savory notes. The finish is tight now, with charcoal shadings and a smoldering cast iron note, but it has additional black tea, incense and floral hints for contrast. Dense and driven, with more than enough elements to match its energy, meaning this can cruise in the cellar for a long time. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2026 through 2045. — J.M.

In 2019, 50% less Lafite was released en-primeur, at a discount of 20% compared to 2018. Surprisingly forward and beautifully balanced, this has a glorious combination of richness, purity of fruit, pronounced lead pencil/mineral notes and ultra-refined tannins. Dark cherry, blueberry fruit on the palate with some intriguing menthol and leafy aromas, all wrapped up in enveloping oak. Not as massive as Margaux but so refined, complex and elegant. This will be even more stunning in another five years.

The 2019 Lafite Rothschild is composed of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it is a little closed and broody, delivering subtle notes of stewed tea, aniseed, and crushed rocks over a core of warm cassis and baked plums. The medium-bodied palate is velvety and concentrated, with loads of black fruit preserves layers and a long, spicy finish.