With succulent, juicy fruit and a gravely minerality throughout, Lafite’s 2008 Grand Vin has the beautiful elegance so typical of this grand chàteau. Its restrained style sometimes shrouds its brilliance at en primeur tastings but the 2008 Grand Vin displays all the qualities of a wine which will develop into a fantastic First Growth: the tannins are ripe and silky, the cassis-laden fruit is intense and fine, and the savoury finish seems endless. Time is required to add flesh to the bones of this Lafite but at its peak it will be stunning.