Ch. Lafite Rothschild (3 L)

WA: Because Lafite-Rothschild (1) tends to lack the weight of many wines of the northern M¿ªdoc, and (2) is never a flashy, ostentatious style of wine, it is often more difficult to evaluate when young than some of its neighbors. A successful wine for Lafite, this dark ruby/purple-colored 1993 is tightly-wound, medium-bodied, with a closed set of aromatics that reluctantly reveal hints of sweet blackcurrant fruit, weedy tobacco, and lead pencil scents. Polished and elegant, with Lafite’s noble restraint, this is an excellent, classy, slightly austere wine. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2020.