Pauillac
Château Lafite Rothschild 1966 Pauillac
At full maturity, this is a restrained, old-school claret with dried rose, cedar, tobacco and cigar-box aromas over cassis and red cherry. The palate is medium-bodied and refined, with gentle earth, forest floor, leather and spice emerging as it opens. Stand the bottle upright, decant briefly for sediment and enjoy promptly with roast lamb or mushrooms.
Château Mouton Rothschild 1982 Pauillac
Flamboyant and richly aromatic, with black currant, blackberry and cherry liqueur layered with cigar box, tobacco, mint, flowers, smoked meat and spice. The palate is full and concentrated, yet finely balanced, combining fresh acidity with silky tannins and an exceptionally long, harmonious finish. Decant for two to three hours and serve with roast turkey, beef or mushroom dishes.
Château Mouton Rothschild 2005 Pauillac Magnum
Intense and beautifully composed, with blackcurrant, dusty cassis and dark fruit joined by coffee, cocoa, grated chocolate, spice, smoke and a faint savoury herbal note. Full-bodied and powerful yet elegant, the palate is rich, balanced and tightly woven, with firm tannins, fresh acidity and a long, silky finish. Give it about two hours in a decanter before serving with beef or lamb.
Château Lafite Rothschild 1990 Pauillac
Dried flowers, cedar and tobacco lead a classic, increasingly expressive bouquet, with red currant, cassis and cigar-box spice underneath. The palate is supple and vibrant, showing refined red fruit, creamy tannins and a savoury thread of herbs and forest leaf. The finish is long and composed. Decant carefully for sediment and serve with roast beef, duck or aged hard cheese.
Château Lafite Rothschild 2000 Pauillac
Smoke, cigar wrapper, ripe plum and currant open into cedar, wet earth and warm spice. The palate is rich and full, combining deep concentration with bright red fruit, silky tannins and a measured dusty edge on the long, classic finish. Still poised for further development, it benefits from two to three hours in a decanter before serving with lamb or beef.
Château Mouton Rothschild 2000 Pauillac
Crème de cassis, blackberry and raspberry lead a layered bouquet, with cedar, tobacco, truffle, coffee, vanilla, earth and exotic spice adding complexity. Concentrated and full-bodied, the palate is fresh and focused, with polished tannins, excellent balance and a long, lingering finish. Allow three to four hours in a decanter and serve with beef Wellington, roast lamb or game.
Château Mouton Rothschild 1996 Pauillac 3 L
Complex and still poised, with blackberry, cassis and red berry layered with anise, cedar, cigar box, coffee, dark chocolate, leather and subtle exotic spice. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate balances fresh acidity with ripe silky tannins, impressive concentration and a long, structured finish. Decant for about two hours and serve with roast beef or lamb.
Château Lafite Rothschild 1982 Pauillac
Deeply aromatic and still beautifully composed, with red currant, cherry and cassis framed by cedar, tobacco, cigar wrapper and warm spice. The palate is silky and precise rather than weighty, carrying mature earth and leafy complexity through a fresh, persistent finish. Stand upright and decant gently for about an hour, watching for bottle variation, then serve with lamb, veal or mushrooms.