Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1959

Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1959 is a legendary Pauillac First Growth Bordeaux in a standard 750ml bottle, widely estimated at approximately 12.5% ABV for the vintage. Robert Parker awarded this wine a perfect 100 points, calling it "unquestionably the greatest Lafite that has approached full maturity" — a verdict that has cemented the 1959 as one of the most revered bottles in wine history.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~12.5% (est.)  |  Origin: Pauillac, Bordeaux, France  |  Vintage: 1959  |  Estate: Château Lafite Rothschild

Production & Heritage

Château Lafite Rothschild has held its position as a First Growth since the original 1855 Classification of Bordeaux, with winemaking roots stretching back centuries on its Pauillac estate. The 1959 vintage was produced in limited volume — just 158 tonneaux, equivalent to roughly 190,000 bottles — from a blend of approximately 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, and the remainder Cabernet Franc. The estate's distinctive terroir features a layer of limestone beneath its gravelly soils, often credited with imparting Lafite's signature finesse. The relatively high proportion of Merlot, typically planted in the estate's lower-lying sectors, softened and added suppleness to a wine from an exceptionally warm and generous vintage.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: An extraordinary bouquet of black truffle, cedar, and lead pencil gives way to red plum, raw currant, and a distinctive menthol-mint lift. Deeper layers reveal exotic spices and cigar box complexity that unfolds over time in the glass.

Taste: The entry is silky and remarkably composed, leading into a mid-palate of luscious black cherry so ripe and intense it borders on pruney concentration. Brilliant acidity provides snap and definition, while extraordinary extract and penetrating sweetness fill every corner of the palate. James Suckling, writing for Wine Spectator in 1991, described it as "complete and delicious."

Finish: The finish is profoundly long, carried by big, noble tannins with a fine-grained texture that has rounded beautifully with age. Lingering notes of cedar, currant, and floral nuance persist well after each sip.

How to Drink Lafite 1959

A wine of this age, stature, and rarity should be served neat in a large Bordeaux glass at cellar temperature (around 16–18°C / 61–64°F), ideally after gentle decanting for 30 to 60 minutes to allow its complex aromatics to open without risking the fragile structure. Mixing or using this wine in cocktails would be inappropriate given its historical significance, collector value, and the delicacy of its aged profile — this is a wine meant solely for contemplation.

Best For

• Celebrating a landmark anniversary, milestone birthday, or once-in-a-lifetime occasion
• Gifting a serious Bordeaux collector or wine connoisseur
• Adding a 100-point First Growth to a fine wine cellar
• Hosting an intimate tasting of iconic 1959 Bordeaux vintages

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lafite 1959 taste like? Lafite 1959 delivers intensely ripe black cherry and red plum fruit supported by cedar, black truffle, menthol, cigar box, and exotic spice, all with a silky texture and remarkable acidity that keeps it alive and vibrant decades after bottling.

How does Lafite 1959 compare to the 1961? The 1959 and 1961 are the two most celebrated mid-century Lafite vintages, and despite stiff competition from the 1961, the 1959 is widely regarded as one of the greatest Lafites ever produced. Parker gave the 1959 a perfect 100 points, while the 1961 also scored extremely highly, though the 1959 is often praised for its greater power, concentration, and aromatic complexity.

Is Lafite 1959 good for drinking now? Robert Parker declared the 1959 Lafite to have approached full maturity as early as 1994, and it remains drinking beautifully for those fortunate enough to find properly stored bottles — though careful provenance verification is essential for wines of this age.

Where is Lafite 1959 made? Château Lafite Rothschild is located in the commune of Pauillac in the Haut-Médoc district of Bordeaux, France, on the Left Bank of the Gironde estuary. Its vineyards sit on gravelly hilltops underlain by a distinctive layer of limestone.

What foods pair well with Lafite 1959? Roast rack of lamb with herbs, as Pauillac is traditionally known as lamb country; aged Comté or Gruyère cheese, whose nutty depth complements the wine's cedar and spice notes; seared duck breast with a red fruit reduction; black truffle dishes that echo the wine's own truffle aromatics; and simple grilled beef tenderloin, kept restrained so as not to overpower the wine's delicate aged complexity.

What sizes does Lafite 1959 come in? The standard format is the 750ml bottle, though as with most top Bordeaux of the era, some magnums (1.5L) and other large formats may exist in private collections and at auction.

Is Lafite 1959 worth the price? Lafite 1959 positions firmly in the ultra-premium, collectible tier of fine wine — it is one of only a handful of Bordeaux vintages ever awarded a perfect 100-point score from Robert Parker, and its extreme age and limited surviving supply make it a benchmark rarity that commands prices commensurate with its historical significance.

Why Lafite 1959?

A perfect 100-point rating from Robert Parker places the 1959 in the most elite tier of wines ever assessed by the world's most influential critic. Only 158 tonneaux were produced, and with more than six decades of bottle age, the number of properly cellared examples continues to dwindle. The combination of Pauillac's limestone-laced terroir, a warm and exceptional growing season, and a thoughtful inclusion of 16% Merlot created a wine of uncommon power and silk. For collectors and enthusiasts who measure greatness by the convergence of provenance, critical acclaim, and irreplaceable scarcity, the 1959 Lafite stands as one of the defining bottles of the twentieth century.