The first known reference to Lafite dates to 1234 with Gombaud de Lafite and Lafite’s mention as a medieval fief dates to the 14th century. Baron James de Rothschild purchased Château Lafite in 1868 and has remained under Rothschild family ownership since. Through the years, Château Lafite sustained natural disasters, wars and crises. After World War II, the Barons de Rothschild recovered possession of Château Lafite Rothschild and revitalized the estate’s business. Baron Elie led a program to restore the vineyards and buildings while fully restructuring the property’s administration.

Baron Eric de Rothschild, nephew of Baron Elie, currently manages the estate and Rothschild properties around the world. Baron Eric’s management of the estate has made forward strides through research and the gradual addition of a new technical team. The vineyards have been replanted and restored, while the use of fertilizers and herbicides have been reevaluated. In the chais, a stainless steel tank complex alongside oak tanks, and a new circular aging chai were constructed under the supervision of Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill. The new chai design style was acclaimed for its innovative character and uncompromising spirit and can hold 2,200 barrels.

The estate encompasses 440 acres, 276 acres being vineyards planted to Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (2%). The vineyard features three major areas: the hillsides around the Chateau, the adjacent Carruades plateau to the west and 11 acres in neighboring Saint Estephe. The average age of the grapevines is 39 years old, but it should be noted that vines younger than 10 years old are not used in the Grand Vin. This means that the average age of the vines used in the Grand Vin (Château Lafite Rothschild) is closer to 45 years. The oldest plot, called “La Gravière , was planted in 1886.

Charles Chevallier is Technical Director of the Bourdeaux Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Duhart-Milon,Château L’Evangile and Château Rieussec. Mr. Chevallier comes from a family of wine-growers in Lunel in the Coteaux du Languedoc. He graduated from the Ecole Supérieure d’Agriculture of Purpan in Toulouse as an Agricultural Engineer and later continued studies in Research and development of phytosanitary products for winegrowing.

In 1979, Mr. Chevallier became the Technical Department Director (vine, cereals, herbal medicine) in a Cooperative at the Union Agricole des pays de la Loire in Thouarcé . In 1983, Mr. Chevallier joined the prestigious Bourdeaux wineries as Technical Deputy Director for Château Lafite Rothschild. Subsequently he became the Technical Manager for Château Rieussec, and Technical Director for Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Duhart-Milon,Château L’Evangile and Château Rieussec.

In January 2016, Charles retired from his role as Technical Director of the Bordeaux Châteaux and assumed the role of Senior Advisor.

1986 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild Bordeaux - 100 Pts!

Château Lafite Rothschild is a wine estate in the Pauillac region of the Médoc, producing one of the most sought-after and expensive red wines in the world. Lafite Rothschild is known for its perfume, elegance, finesse and harmony, in contrast to the more powerful Latour and Mouton Rothschild. Nevertheless, great vintages can age for 50 years or more.

The estate began to earn its reputation as a winemaking property in the late 1600s; by the second half of the following century it was known as "The King's Wine" at Versailles, and had a strong following in London. The acclaim did not diminish and in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification Lafite was ranked a first growth. It was bought by Baron James de Rothschild in 1868. Throughout much of the 20th Century, despite many sublime wines, Lafite Rothschild was regarded as an inconsistent producer but since the mid-1990s it has become more reliable – in fact, it regularly makes claims for wine of the vintage.

1st Grand Cru Classé of Pauillac, Château Lafite-Rothschild is often considered the most prized of the 5 Premier Grands Crus

Presentation of the domain:

Château Lafite Rothschild is located in the Pauillac appellation, on the left bank of Bordeaux. The estate, covering an area of 112 hectares, is classified Premier Grand Cru in the official classification of Bordeaux wines of 1855. The castle was built in the 18th century and is known for its famous label adorned with the "Lafite square", a red square on white background.

Presentation of the cuvée:

Lafite Rothschild is the estate's flagship cuvée. It is considered one of the most prestigious and emblematic of Bordeaux. It is produced from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The 1986 cuvée is particularly famous for its exceptional quality.

Presentation of Lafite Rothschild 1986:

The 1986 Lafite Rothschild cuvée is characterized by its deep, dark color. On the nose, it offers intense aromas of black fruits, blackcurrant, liquorice and cedar. On the palate it is powerful and balanced, with silky tannins and a long finish. The 1986 vintage is considered one of the best in Bordeaux in the 20th century, and this cuvée is often cited as one of the best of the year.

Food and wine :

Lafite Rothschild 1986 is a powerful and complex wine that goes perfectly with roasted red meats, lamb or game. It can also be associated with strong cheeses. We really recommend tasting it for itself and sharing it, because it is (usually) not the type of bottle that you can taste several times in a lifetime.

Serving Tips:

The ideal serving temperature for Lafite Rothschild 1986 is around 18°C. This wine is "a bomb" which is still slightly closed in 2023. It is recommended to decant it for 6 hours before tasting, in order to allow the aromas to fully develop.