The Chateau Lafite-Rothschild 1970 was properly stored since release, and had a good cork and high fill. It is still holding quite well, and is now better balanced than it once was. The once hard tannins are now resolved, there is enough acid, and there is still plenty of fruit. It has developed a very nice bottle bouquet that enhances the fruit. It has considerable old vine character. This wine is not as bad as some would have you believe, if it has been very well stored. It is true that Lafite had a slump in quality in much of the 60s and 70s, and many of their wines of that era were not up to first growth standards. However, although lacking the complexity and concentration of a great Lafite such as the 1959, this wine still is drinking very well. It is better than the 1970 Chateau Margaux. Mouton 1970 is more concentrated, but not a lot better than the 70 Lafite, although it may be more to the taste of some. Of course all of the mentioned 1970 first growths are far behind the very great 1970 Latour, if it has been well stored. I have both single bottles and magnums of 1970 Lafite left, and I see no reason to be in a great hurry to drink them.
- posted
16 years ago