1999 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Pauillac

At this stage, there is sweet fruit and spice on the nose and a texture that seems silky, supple, and soft initially but shows a firm tannic grip at the end. It drinks well now and should last for the mid-term. A lovely wine from a less-than-promising year. The weather was humid and cloudy early and very hot from the middle of August, but the rain arrived at the end of the month, pushing up the picking date. 40% of the fruit went into the grand vin, a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18.5% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 1.5% Petit Verdot – one of the few vintages to feature four grape varieties. 94 points, Decanter