2016 Chateau Lafite Rothschild

Name: 2016 Chateau Lafite Rothschild
Brand: Chateau Lafite Rothschild
SKU: 040ec23c22df0989591ab06a8e7fdba5
Price: 624.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 98 (19 reviews)

Pauillac, France

- Avg Price (ex-tax)
- $ 1,071 / 750ml

5 from 41 User Ratings
98 / 100 19 Critic Reviews
Style Red - Savory and Classic
Grape Variety Bordeaux Blend Red
Food Pairing Beef and Venison

- Producer tasting notes: (2016 vintage) "Beautiful dark red colour with almost black glints in the glass. The wine is bright and clear. Very dark. The nose is still very closed, but all the signs of tremendous aromatic potential are present: the depth, complexity and the already perfectly integrated oak from the barrel ageing. Some classic notes of violet, but all still very contained. On the palate the attack is very soft and silky. Then gradually, maintaining the same softness, the wine fills the mouth with enormous length, to the point that one wonders how long it can continue! The mid-palate is perfectly balanced. It is very dense with tight tannins that are still very delicate. The wine has remarkable persistence and fullness on the palate, it does not reveal the slightest imbalance or weakness. Everything is there to guarantee a great future." - Chateau Lafite Rothschild
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Highlights

Winery

Chateau Lafite Rothschild

6 products ranged between $356 - $17,037 (Avg. price ex tax)

Region or Appellation

Pauillac

Medoc / Bordeaux / France

Grape Variety / Blend

Bordeaux Blend Red

92% Cabernet Sauvignon & 8% Merlot

Style

Red Wine

Red - Savory and Classic

Food Pairing

Beef and Venison

The general rule with all red meat is the leaner the meat, the...

Details

About the Product

Classification: 1er Grand Cru Classé
Drinking Window: 2022 - 2066

Analytical Data

Alcohol ABV: 13%
Residual Sugar g/L: 2 g/L
Sweetness: Dry

Production Attributes

Maturation: Oaked
Oak Type: French
Winemaker: Eric Kohler
Ownership: Barons de Rothschild
Closure Type: Cork
Vineyard Notes: The vineyard of Château Lafite Rothschild comprises three main areas: The slopes around the Château, the Carruades plateau to the west and a 4.5-hectare lot in the neighbouring township of Saint-Estèphe. The surface area is 112 hectares. The soil is made up of fine, deep gravel mixed with windblown sand on a well-drained, and well exposed tertiary limestone subsoil. The grape varieties grown here are Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.

Read more
Vintage Notes: 2016 was characterized in Bordeaux by a very uniform climate, resulting in a good quality vintage for the entire region. Bud break occurred around the normal time, although the spring was rather rainy and cold. June was particularly overcast and cool, but flowering nevertheless took place in good conditions. The summer was hot and very dry, almost too dry at the beginning of September, with ripening becoming hindered in some cases due to water stress. Lafite’s superb terroir was perfectly able to cope with these conditions, and we were able to wait without undue concern for the very welcome rain on 13 September. This created optimal conditions for the final ripening of the grapes, which were able to reach exceptional levels of maturity

Read more
Ageing: 18 to 20 months in 100% new barrels.
Producer Tasting Notes: Beautiful dark red colour with almost black glints in the glass. The wine is bright and clear. Very dark. The nose is still very closed, but all the signs of tremendous aromatic potential are present: the depth, complexity and the already perfectly integrated oak from the barrel ageing. Some classic notes of violet, but all still very contained. On the palate the attack is very soft and silky. Then gradually, maintaining the same softness, the wine fills the mouth with enormous length, to the point that one wonders how long it can continue! The mid-palate is perfectly balanced. It is very dense with tight tannins that are still very delicate. The wine has remarkable persistence and fullness on the palate, it does not reveal the slightest imbalance or weakness. Everything is there to guarantee a great future.

Read more

Awards

(1)

3 Stars coup de cœur

2016 Vintage

Awarded: 2020

Le Guide Hachette des Vins

Suggested Dishes to Pair With This Wine

Steak frites Main Course: Minute steak with fries; Contains: beef steak; French

Ribeye steak on the bone Main Course: With snail Béarnaise; Western

Beef Wellington Main Course: Contains: beef fillet, mushrooms, puff pastry; British

Linconshire Poacher Cheese Course: British

Details

About the Product

Classification: 1er Grand Cru Classé
Drinking Window: 2022 - 2066

Analytical Data

Alcohol ABV: 13%
Residual Sugar g/L: 2 g/L
Sweetness: Dry

Production Attributes

Maturation: Oaked
Oak Type: French
Winemaker: Eric Kohler
Ownership: Barons de Rothschild
Closure Type: Cork
Vineyard Notes: The vineyard of Château Lafite Rothschild comprises three main areas: The slopes around the Château, the Carruades plateau to the west and a 4.5-hectare lot in the neighbouring township of Saint-Estèphe. The surface area is 112 hectares. The soil is made up of fine, deep gravel mixed with windblown sand on a well-drained, and well exposed tertiary limestone subsoil. The grape varieties grown here are Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.

Read more
Vintage Notes: 2016 was characterized in Bordeaux by a very uniform climate, resulting in a good quality vintage for the entire region. Bud break occurred around the normal time, although the spring was rather rainy and cold. June was particularly overcast and cool, but flowering nevertheless took place in good conditions. The summer was hot and very dry, almost too dry at the beginning of September, with ripening becoming hindered in some cases due to water stress. Lafite’s superb terroir was perfectly able to cope with these conditions, and we were able to wait without undue concern for the very welcome rain on 13 September. This created optimal conditions for the final ripening of the grapes, which were able to reach exceptional levels of maturity

Read more
Ageing: 18 to 20 months in 100% new barrels.
Producer Tasting Notes: Beautiful dark red colour with almost black glints in the glass. The wine is bright and clear. Very dark. The nose is still very closed, but all the signs of tremendous aromatic potential are present: the depth, complexity and the already perfectly integrated oak from the barrel ageing. Some classic notes of violet, but all still very contained. On the palate the attack is very soft and silky. Then gradually, maintaining the same softness, the wine fills the mouth with enormous length, to the point that one wonders how long it can continue! The mid-palate is perfectly balanced. It is very dense with tight tannins that are still very delicate. The wine has remarkable persistence and fullness on the palate, it does not reveal the slightest imbalance or weakness. Everything is there to guarantee a great future.

Read more

Awards

(1)

3 Stars coup de cœur

2016 Vintage

Awarded: 2020

Le Guide Hachette des Vins

Critics Scores & Reviews

(19)

2016 vintage

98 / 100

19 scores

95 - 100

90 - 94

85 - 89

80 - 84

75 - 79

0 - 74

When to drink: 2022 to 2066

PRO Jancis Robinson

2016 Vintage Tasted: Jan 2020

See score for this with a PRO subscription.

About Jancis Robinson

100 / 100 Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

2016 Vintage Tasted: Sep 2019

Showing a serious depth of color, the wine offers a wealth of dark fruits on the nose. From there you find spice box, leafy tobacco, cigar box, cherry pipe tobacco and sweet coffee bean aromas. On the palate, which is where the show really takes place, the wine is silky, elegant, long, refined and concentrated. It is impossible not to notice the volume, length and especially the wonderful purity in the fruit. The wine is rich, yet incredibly light on its feet. This is destined to be an immortal vintage for Lafite Rothschild that future generations will reap the benefit from. The wine is complete from start to finish and was produced from blending 92% Cabernet Sauvignon with 8% Merlot.

About Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

18 / 20 Vinum Wine Magazine

2016 Vintage Tasted: Jun 2019

When to drink: 2025 to 2035

Besonders zurückhaltender, klassischer, schnörkelloser Lafite, eng sitzendes Tannin grosser Frische, eleganter Ausklang.

About Vinum Wine Magazine

99 / 100 Wine Enthusiast

2016 Vintage Tasted: May 2019

Almost entirely Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine beautifully sums up the density and the richness of this variety in Pauillac. It is impressive, made even more so in this vintage by the ripeness of the tannins, the beautiful, plush fruit and enormous promise. Drink this wine from 2026. Its aging potential is enormous. Roger Voss

About Wine Enthusiast

? / 100 James Suckling

2016 Vintage Tasted: Jan 2019

Incredible aromas of crushed berries, sweet tobacco and wet earth. So perfumed and gorgeous. Hot stones and cement, too. Full-bodied, dense and powerful with lots of intense tannins and a never ending finish. Juicy and flavorful. A muscular Lafite, not seen for a long time. Classssssss! Try after 2025.

About James Suckling

98 / 100 Andreas Larsson - Tasted

2016 Vintage Tasted: Dec 2018

Beautiful purity with layered aromas of cassis, tobacco, bright dark fruit, a gravelly minerality with just a little hint of oak underneath. Very dense dark fruit flavours with an abundance of very fine tannin adding lift and length, big concentration balanced by a bright acidity. Very grippy, nuanced and long finish with splendid purity of fruit.

About Andreas Larsson - Tasted

98 / 100 Falstaff

2016 Vintage Tasted: Jun 2017

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, subtle brightening on the rim. Inviting dark berry fruit, ripe cherry, sweet spice, candied orange zest and tobacco notes. Powerful and juicy on the palate, red berry fruit, taut, supporting tannins, freshly structured, red cherry, minerality, already showing good length with ripe cherry on the finish.

About Falstaff

98 - 99 / 100 VertdeVin

2016 Vintage

The nose is beautifully elegant , aromatic and offers a beautiul structure, a beautiful finesse as well as a beautiful complexity . It reveals notes of blackberry , wild strawberry and more slightly violet, blueberry associated with small touches of fleshy / fresh small red fruits, caramelization as well as very discreet hints of Sichuan pepper , spices , lilac and a very discreet hint of nutmeg . The palate is fruity , juicy , well- blanced , elegant and offers a beautiful definition , a beautiful precision , a beautiful acidulous frame, a beautiful finesse of the structure, power (full of finesse), a beautiful suavity , fleshiness , a very fine unctuosity as well as fat. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy / juicy raspberry , fleshy blackberry and more slightly cassis associated with small touches of crunchy wild strawberry as well as hints of chocolate / tonka bean , fleshy blueberry and very discreet hints of cardamom , caramelization and a very discreet hint of spices . Tannins are fine and elegant . Power on the finish/ persistence . Good length and persistence . A very beautiful wine !

About VertdeVin

98 / 100 The Wine Independent

2016 Vintage Tasted: Dec 2022

When to drink: 2027 to 2064

About The Wine Independent

97 / 100 Jean-Marc Quarin

2016 Vintage Tasted: Feb 2020

When to drink: 2028 to 2060

About Jean-Marc Quarin

20 / 20 La Revue du Vin de France

2016 Vintage Tasted: Jan 2020

About La Revue du Vin de France

98 / 100 Wine Spectator

2016 Vintage Tasted: Mar 2019

About Wine Spectator

99 / 100 Robert Parker The Wine Advocate

2016 Vintage Tasted: Dec 2018

When to drink: 2022 to 2066

About Robert Parker The Wine Advocate

99 / 100 Chris Kissack - Winedoctor

2016 Vintage Tasted: Dec 2018

About Chris Kissack - Winedoctor

99 / 100 Jeannie Cho Lee

2016 Vintage Tasted: Apr 2017

When to drink: 2029 to 2029

About Jeannie Cho Lee

97 / 100 Tim Atkin

2016 Vintage Tasted: Jan 2016

For reports and full tasting notes, go to Tim Atkin MW's website.

About Tim Atkin

97 / 100 CellarTracker

2016 Vintage

About CellarTracker

For completeness we may include critic scores in our aggregation that we do not display.

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User Ratings

(41)

41 ratings

2016 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, France

Excellent

2016 Vintage Saved: 29-Oct-2023

This wine will be one of the best Bordeaux ever made in my opinion. Soooo intense and perfumed and yet fresh and agile. Never ending finish. Will keep for 50y+. Absolute banger. Drink from 2025-26.

Compare vintages

Vintage Critics Score Avg. Price (ex-tax)

All 96 / 100 $ 1,008 2024 95 / 100 $ 375 2023 97 / 100 $ 523 2022 98 / 100 $ 945 2021 96 / 100 $ 668 2020 97 / 100 $ 832 2019 97 / 100 $ 1,089 2018 98 / 100 $ 1,138 2017 95 / 100 $ 811

2016 98 / 100 $ 1,071 2015 95 / 100 $ 1,191 2014 94 / 100 $ 819 2013 91 / 100 $ 751 2012 93 / 100 $ 763 2011 93 / 100 $ 756 2010 97 / 100 $ 1,451 2009 97 / 100 $ 1,239 2008 94 / 100 $ 1,009 2007 93 / 100 $ 807 2006 94 / 100 $ 974 2005 96 / 100 $ 1,343 2004 94 / 100 $ 928 2003 96 / 100 $ 1,278 2002 93 / 100 $ 733 2001 95 / 100 $ 900 2000 97 / 100 $ 2,020 1999 93 / 100 $ 1,022 1998 94 / 100 $ 988 1997 92 / 100 $ 781 1996 97 / 100 $ 1,925 1995 95 / 100 $ 1,181 1994 90 / 100 $ 749 1993 88 / 100 $ 729 1992 89 / 100 $ 942 1991 88 / 100 $ 771 1990 95 / 100 $ 1,202 1989 93 / 100 $ 1,173 1988 94 / 100 $ 1,182 1987 86 / 100 $ 836 1986 96 / 100 $ 1,276 1985 92 / 100 $ 986 1984 87 / 100 $ 850 1983 91 / 100 $ 736 1982 95 / 100 $ 3,402 1981 89 / 100 $ 937 1980 91 / 100 $ 757 1979 88 / 100 $ 787 1978 90 / 100 $ 1,111 1977 91 / 100 $ 854 1976 91 / 100 $ 938 1975 90 / 100 $ 1,050 1974 92 / 100 $ 900 1973 90 / 100 $ 858 1972 87 / 100 $ 886 1971 81 / 100 $ 740 1970 87 / 100 $ 707 1969 93 / 100 $ 1,109 1968 87 / 100 – 1967 80 / 100 $ 878 1966 92 / 100 $ 1,078 1965 77 / 100 – 1964 90 / 100 $ 1,126 1963 – – 1962 93 / 100 $ 652 1961 93 / 100 $ 1,449 1960 86 / 100 – 1959 98 / 100 $ 4,231 1958 82 / 100 – 1957 83 / 100 – 1956 – – 1955 94 / 100 $ 1,776 1954 85 / 100 – 1953 98 / 100 – 1952 87 / 100 – 1951 – – 1950 91 / 100 – 1949 93 / 100 – 1948 94 / 100 – 1947 91 / 100 $ 4,399 1946 90 / 100 – 1945 93 / 100 $ 7,000 1944 – – 1943 88 / 100 – 1942 – – 1941 – – 1940 – – 1939 – – 1938 – – 1937 93 / 100 – 1935 – – 1934 94 / 100 – 1933 – $ 3,500 1931 87 / 100 – 1930 – – 1929 92 / 100 – 1928 89 / 100 – 1927 – – 1926 – $ 4,125 1925 89 / 100 – 1924 93 / 100 – 1923 – – 1922 – – 1921 93 / 100 – 1920 90 / 100 $ 2,940 1919 92 / 100 – 1918 – – 1917 92 / 100 $ 2,795 1916 – – 1915 – – 1914 85 / 100 – 1913 – – 1912 – $ 4,300 1911 – – 1910 – – 1909 – – 1908 94 / 100 – 1907 90 / 100 – 1906 – – 1905 82 / 100 – 1904 89 / 100 – 1903 – – 1902 – – 1901 92 / 100 – 1900 94 / 100 – 1899 91 / 100 – 1898 – – 1897 – – 1896 – – 1895 – – 1894 – – 1893 – – 1892 – – 1891 – – 1890 – – 1888 – – 1887 – – 1884 – – 1883 – – 1882 – – 1881 94 / 100 – 1878 – – 1877 – – 1876 – – 1875 – – 1874 87 / 100 $ 24,999 1872 – – 1871 – – 1870 100 / 100 – 1869 – – 1868 – – 1865 98 / 100 – 1864 92 / 100 – 1861 – – 1858 – – 1855 – – 1848 96 / 100 – 1846 – – 1844 – – 1841 – – 1832 83 / 100 – 1825 – – 1812 – – 1811 – – 1805 – – 1800 – – 1799 – – 1791 – – 1789 – – 1787 – – 1784 – –

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2016 Vintage: Pauillac Learn more

Vintage quality: Excellent (Legendary)

Current condition: Ready to drink, will keep

The 2016 vintage for Pauillac was brilliant.

Like much of Bordeaux, the growing season got off to an exceptionally damp start, with a warm but muggy winter that swiftly transformed into a wet, humid spring. The sheer amount of rainfall that fe...

Price History

USA average retail price per 750ml, ex tax USD $ from Nov 2023 to Oct 2025

Current Product

2016 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac, France

Benchmark

2016 Bordeaux Blend Red from Pauillac

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Availability Over Time

Number of offers from our merchants from Nov 2023 to Oct 2025

Current Product

2016 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac, France

Benchmark

2016 Bordeaux Blend Red from Pauillac

Please login or subscribe to PRO to view data from the last ten years.

Search Rank Over Time

Popularity relative to other wines, spirits and beers , irrespective of vintage, based on the number of searches from Nov 2023 to Oct 2025

Current Product

Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac, France

Benchmark

Bordeaux Blend Red from Pauillac

Please login or subscribe to PRO to view data from the last ten years.

Wine-Searcher's historical data and benchmark analysis provides trustworthy and valuable insights into likely market trends.
Wine-Searcher also produces detailed reports for market insights into the industry.Learn more

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Jancis Robinson

2016 Chateau Lafite Rothschild

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