For the third consecutive year Europe witnessed drought, but the temperatures remained reasonable and ripening was slow, uneventful and complete. The result satisfied the most demanding winegrowers with small quantities, high degrees of alcohol and perfect plant health. A truly superb harvest producing very concentrated wines and very rich tannins. A very great vintage for laying down and which has seduced wine lovers.
“A great wine is born, with no excess, except in the pleasure it gives to its makers. 2005 was a year of balance: just enough sun throughout the year, just enough rainfall when the grapes were thirsty, nights that were just cool enough to firm and thicken the skins on the grapes, just the right breeze during the harvests to cool the harvesters’ brows.
For those who will have the pleasure of drinking Château Lafite Rothschild 2005, many years from now, we have illustrated our bottles with a reminder of what nature generously gave us – scales weighing sun and rain, symbol of the perfect balance which makes our wines great.”
Baron Eric de Rothschild