At a glance

Producer

Château Lafite Rothschild

Region

Pauillac, Bordeaux, France

Grape variety

Bordeaux blend (primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Bone Dry

Typical price

$800–$1,400 USD (2024 global auction and retail data)

Tasting profile

Aromatic bouquet with cedar, graphite, blackcurrant, tobacco, and hints of truffle. Palate is elegant, layered, showing mature flavors of black fruits, earth, spice, and polished tannins.

Evolution: Has gained complexity, tertiary notes (cedar, forest floor) apparent. Fruit remains but is receding in favor of savory nuances.

At peak: Maximum complexity, seamless integration of structure and flavor; classic mature Pauillac.

Structure

Acidity

Medium to medium-high, providing freshness.

Tannins

Silky, fine-grained, fully integrated.

Alcohol

Approx. 12.5% ABV.

Aging potential

Very high for the vintage: up to 30 years from vintage (2032 or beyond in ideal conditions).

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2013 to 2039

Optimal window

2010 to 2042

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Mature, complex, at or near peak; bottles well stored remain elegant but will not markedly improve.

The 2002 vintage was relatively cool and structured. Lafite excelled in this vintage, delivering a wine with impressive longevity, finesse, and classic style. The wine is in a prime mature phase with graceful aging ahead for well-stored bottles.

Food pairing

Roast lamb, rare beef, lentil and mushroom casserole, mature hard cheeses (e.g., Comté), truffled dishes.

Serving

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — The wine is 23 years old and while the tannins are silky and fully integrated, decanting will help to aerate the wine, enhancing its aromas and flavors, and allowing any sediment to settle.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 6/10

Transitioned to more sustainable viticulture post-2000s (increased biodiversity, reduction of synthetic pesticides). 2002 vintage produced using conventional Bordeaux viticulture, though with some early adoption of sustainable water usage and careful energy management at the estate. No lightweight packaging for this era.

Château Lafite Rothschild is now a leader in sustainability among classified Bordeaux estates, but in 2002 environmental stewardship was in its early stages. Chemicals use was already declining and estate practices were mindful of ecosystem health, but Lafite's 2002 vintage does not meet today's leading sustainability standards. Recent improvements do not retroactively apply to this vintage, but the estate's ongoing efforts are recognized.