France
Château Lafite Rothschild 2004 Pauillac
Mint, cedar, tobacco and herbs lead a bright, savoury profile, with red berry, cassis and black fruit underneath. Medium-bodied and refined, the palate shows silky polish, lead-pencil detail and a salty mineral edge, finishing firm and slightly dry in a traditional style. Decant for one to two hours and serve slightly cool with roast chicken, lamb or lentils.
Château Mouton Rothschild 1952 Pauillac
Fully mature and richly textured, with blackberry, liquorice and leather carried by a broad, refined and complex bouquet. The palate is round and warming, balancing sweet fruit with drying tannins and a substantial, gently rounded finish. Bottle condition is essential at this age; stand upright, decant carefully for about ninety minutes and serve with lamb or slow-cooked beef.
Château Lafite Rothschild 1998 Pauillac
Deep garnet with a faint brick edge, showing cassis and dark berry layered with sandalwood, cedar, tobacco and subtle mineral spice. The palate is concentrated yet remarkably poised, with polished fruit, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity carried through a long, savoury finish. Give it generous air before serving with roast lamb, beef or earthy mushroom dishes.
Château Lafite Rothschild 2002 Pauillac
Bright and classically shaped, with vibrant red berries, cherry and cranberry layered with mint, herbs, tobacco and cedar. The palate is crisp and energetic, balancing sweet and tart fruit with olive, citrus and a firm old-school structure. A two-hour decant brings out cassis, blackberry, cigar box and forest-floor complexity. Serve with roast lamb, veal or grilled mushrooms.
Château Lafite Rothschild 2005 Pauillac
Youthful and classically structured, with pure red fruit, cassis and flowers layered with lead pencil, cigar box, thyme and a saline mineral note. The palate is full-bodied, bright and firm, combining chewy tannins with impressive freshness and length. Best held for further development; if opened now, give it four to six hours in a decanter and serve with roast beef or lamb.
Château Latour 2005 Pauillac
Black currant and black olive anchor a deep, brooding bouquet, layered with cedar, walnut, graphite, bitumen and savoury spice. The palate is muscular and intensely concentrated, its grainy tannins and cedary oak carrying through a firm, mineral and chocolate-toned finish. Still youthful, it rewards patience; if opened now, decant for about three hours and serve with roast leg of lamb.
Château Latour 1990 Pauillac
Open and expressive for a mature first growth, with red currant, cassis and black cherry joined by liquorice, tobacco, leather and cedar. The full-bodied palate is lush and concentrated, its ripe tannins carrying savoury earth, herbs, espresso and kirsch through a powerful, spicy finish. Decant for about two hours and serve at cellar temperature with lamb, beef or game.
Château Lafite Rothschild 2003 Pauillac
Generous and expressive, with ripe red berries, cassis and roasted dark fruit layered with cedar, herbs, tobacco leaf, truffle and spice. The palate is full and concentrated, combining silky polish with opulent richness and a long, harmonious finish. Bottle variation is possible, so stand upright and decant carefully, tasting as it opens. Excellent with roast beef or game.
Château Lafite Rothschild 1995 Pauillac
Classically restrained, with blackcurrant and dark berry layered with cedar, tobacco, coconut, woodsmoke and a faint vanilla note. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate is focused and finely structured, balancing fresh fruit with a firm tannic edge and polished savoury detail. The finish is long, smoky and composed; decant before serving with roast lamb or beef.
Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2003 Pauillac Magnum
Dense and authoritative, with cassis, blackberry and black cherry framed by graphite, cocoa, smoke and a measured touch of cedar. The palate is powerful but controlled, combining deep fruit with firm, fine-grained tannins and a fresh line of acidity. Leather and dark spice build across a persistent finish. Give it generous air before serving with venison or braised beef.
Château Mouton Rothschild 2006 Pauillac Magnum
Focused and powerful, with blackberry, blackcurrant and dark fruit framed by graphite, cold stone, leather and spice. The palate is fleshy yet finely detailed, with fresh, carefully judged acidity, fine-grained ripe tannins and a layered, harmonious structure. Still firm and youthful, it carries its concentration into a long, precise finish; allow generous air and serve with roast beef or lamb.
Lafite Rothschild 1995 Pauillac
Classically restrained, with blackcurrant and dark berry layered with cedar, tobacco, coconut, woodsmoke and a faint vanilla note. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate is focused and finely structured, balancing fresh fruit with a firm tannic edge and polished savoury detail. The finish is long, smoky and composed; decant before serving with roast lamb or beef.
Château Lafite Rothschild 1999 Pauillac
Elegant and medium-bodied, with bright red currant, cassis and cherry set against cedar, tobacco, forest leaf and gentle spice. The palate is fresh and softly textured, carrying red fruit, herbs and a measured savoury complexity through a poised finish. Stand the bottle upright, decant only as needed for sediment, and serve slightly cool with lamb, duck or mushroom dishes.
Lafite Rothschild 1998 Pauillac
Deep garnet with a faint brick edge, showing cassis and dark berry layered with sandalwood, cedar, tobacco and subtle mineral spice. The palate is concentrated yet remarkably poised, with polished fruit, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity carried through a long, savoury finish. Give it generous air before serving with roast lamb, beef or earthy mushroom dishes.
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.
Domaine Armand Rousseau 1994 Chambertin Grand Cru
Mature and remarkably balanced, with red fruit retaining freshness despite the vintage's leaner reputation. The palate avoids undue heaviness or tired fruit, showing a composed structure and firm, lightly green-edged tannins on the finish. It is drinking well now and may continue to hold. Stand upright, open carefully and serve with roast game or earthy mushroom dishes.