2006 Château Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux

Good full ruby-red. Very ripe aromas of cassis, graphite and cedar chips, lifted by peppery and floral high notes. Densely packed and superconcentrated but light on its feet, with compelling flavors of spicy berries and minerals. The very long, slow-building finish stains the palate with flavor. Very backward but not austere; and unlike some recent vintages of Lafite, which could appear deceptively light in the early going, this showcases its density and ripeness from the outset. I have the impression that most of the less-ripe fruit was declassified into the far lighter Carruades de Lafite (87), which shows a distinctly cool style for the year.Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com.com (May 2009)

Tasted blind. Very rich and lively and gamey. Thick and solid. Set for the long term. Tough tannins on the end but admirably fresh.Drink 2019 - 2035jancis_robinson_mw MW, JancisRobinson.com (May 2016)

The aromas of blue fruit, iodine, sweet tobacco and lavender follow through nicely to the palate that’s medium-bodied with fine, firm tannins and a long, cool finish. Still a little tight, but it shows great finesse and pedigree. Just starting to open now.james_suckling, jamessuckling_com (July 2021)

Such a rich (but keeping-it-elegant) Lafite nose. Great restraint and power here: Lafite always knows when to advance and when to retreat. This displays juicy cassis and cold ash, with perfectly worn tannins that are just starting to soften but have so much ahead. It should maintain this level for another 30 years whilst moving into its second, third and fourth life along the way.Drink 2018 - 2040jane_anson_mw, Decanter.com

Tasted at Bordeaux Index's annual 10-Year On tasting in London and then blind at Farr Vintners tasting. The 2006 Chteau Lafite-Rothschild offers impressive fruit intensity on the nose, although it does not have the precision of the 2006 Mouton-Rothschild. Red berry fruits intermingle with rose petals and sous-bois scents - very typical Lafite bouquet where less can be more. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and a keen line of acidity. It is certainly very well balanced with graphite-tinged black fruit, but whereas Mouton-Rothschild possesses that peacock's tail, Lafite remains linear. Nevertheless, the sophistication really comes through here. It is a Lafite-Rothschild that may spring a few surprises down the line, one of those wines that keeps drawing you back. Understated class. Tasted April 2016.Neil Martin - 30/05/2016

One of the fabulous surprises.., the 2006 Lafite Rothschild is a great, great wine...Frankly, it may turn out to be as good as the 2005, which in all of Bordeaux is a far greater vintage than 2006. Lafite's severe selection process resulted in a full-bodied wine boasting an extraordinary perfume of charcoal, truffles, lead pencil shavings, and sensationally sweet, ripe black currant and cedar notes. A wine of extraordinary intensity, texture, and depth with silky tannins as well as awesome concentration, this has turned out to be a remarkable Lafite Rothschild that should be drinkable much earlier than the 2005, but age for three decades. robert_parker - Wine Advocate - Feb-2009