Tasting with the owners of the BIG 5, Lafite Rothschild

Baron Eric de Rothschild preffers to sit by himself (when left alone at Lafite) with the 1953 Lafite. Sounds like Rake back home...... On the question of terroir in Bordeaux, he stated '-We've had Duhart Milon for 60 years, if we could make Lafite there, we would, trust me.'
We did not enjoy quite as old wines, but it was nice to revisit the 03.

2003 Château Lafite Rothschild;
Ruby, WOW, it's improved enormously from my last bottle, now layers, seductive, violets, cassis giving the sweetness, fine leather and some bell peppers far behind. Even acidity feels fresh now (on the low side for Bdx) ripe tannins, superb balance, very elegant aromas and elegant texture, then have a short brake before a stunning aftertaste. A bit strange given it's "only" 86% Cab S (a grape that can have this hollow mid palate) and it's just 12,9 in alcohol as well, so where did the sweetness I felt in the last bottle two years back, go now? Very interesting. Parker said 100. I'm on 95.

1995 Château Lafite Rothschild;
Ruby, closed, tobacco, leather, a touch of brett? Something unclean, good acidity, ripe tannins, more hollow, not a good bottle.... Not even close to my last bottle..... 89

And a new bottle appears, there is an agreement at the table that this wasn't how it's supposed to be.

1995 Château Lafite Rothschild;
Ruby, this is perfect, violets, layers, stunning complexity and nuances, just how I remember it (from my Lafite visit), stunning fruit, balance, acicity, tannins ripe and fine, superb and flirting. led pencil, somewhat closed, but gorgeous. 95