The first known reference to Lafite dates to 1234 with Gombaud de Lafite and Lafite’s mention as a medieval fief dates to the 14th century. Baron James de Rothschild purchased Château Lafite in 1868 and has remained under Rothschild family ownership since. Through the years, Château Lafite sustained natural disasters, wars and crises. After World War II, the Barons de Rothschild recovered possession of Château Lafite Rothschild and revitalized the estate’s business. Baron Elie led a program to restore the vineyards and buildings while fully restructuring the property’s administration.

Baron Eric de Rothschild, nephew of Baron Elie, currently manages the estate and Rothschild properties around the world. Baron Eric’s management of the estate has made forward strides through research and the gradual addition of a new technical team. The vineyards have been replanted and restored, while the use of fertilizers and herbicides have been reevaluated. In the chais, a stainless steel tank complex alongside oak tanks, and a new circular aging chai were constructed under the supervision of Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill. The new chai design style was acclaimed for its innovative character and uncompromising spirit and can hold 2,200 barrels.

The estate encompasses 440 acres, 276 acres being vineyards planted to Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (2%). The vineyard features three major areas: the hillsides around the Chateau, the adjacent Carruades plateau to the west and 11 acres in neighboring Saint Estephe. The average age of the grapevines is 39 years old, but it should be noted that vines younger than 10 years old are not used in the Grand Vin. This means that the average age of the vines used in the Grand Vin (Château Lafite Rothschild) is closer to 45 years. The oldest plot, called “La Gravière , was planted in 1886.

Charles Chevallier is Technical Director of the Bourdeaux Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Duhart-Milon,Château L’Evangile and Château Rieussec. Mr. Chevallier comes from a family of wine-growers in Lunel in the Coteaux du Languedoc. He graduated from the Ecole Supérieure d’Agriculture of Purpan in Toulouse as an Agricultural Engineer and later continued studies in Research and development of phytosanitary products for winegrowing.

In 1979, Mr. Chevallier became the Technical Department Director (vine, cereals, herbal medicine) in a Cooperative at the Union Agricole des pays de la Loire in Thouarcé . In 1983, Mr. Chevallier joined the prestigious Bourdeaux wineries as Technical Deputy Director for Château Lafite Rothschild. Subsequently he became the Technical Manager for Château Rieussec, and Technical Director for Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Duhart-Milon,Château L’Evangile and Château Rieussec.

In January 2016, Charles retired from his role as Technical Director of the Bordeaux Châteaux and assumed the role of Senior Advisor.

Eric Kohler, Technical Director of the Bordeaux Châteaux, is assisted by oenologist and winemaker Christophe Congé, and vineyard manager Louis Caillard.

At the tasting, this second wine offers a very supple and round attack. Carruades de Lafite then presents young and lively tannins but of a beautiful quality that the time will reveal then wonderfully. A harmonious and complex nectar.

Château Lafite Rothschild’s second wine, Carruades de Lafite presents similar characteristics to the Grand Vin, but with its own personality linked to a higher proportion of Merlot and to specific plots that are used to produce Carruades. The name comes from the Carruades plateau, a group of plots acquired in 1845 just next to the vines on the Château hilltop.

Critical Acclaim

JS97
James Suckling

Exquisitely fine tannins to the currant, lead-pencil and chocolate character. The palate is full, yet very refined and linear with a long, lingering finish. Such polish and tension. The tannins are intense, yet so fine, giving almost a powdery texture. So Lafite-like. Best Carruades ever? 56% cabernet sauvignon and 38% merlot, the rest cabernet franc. Drink after 2026.

JD94
Jeb Dunnuck

While a lot of estates' second wines can have a distinctly different style than their Grand Vins, that's not the case with Lafite. Their 2018 Carraudes De Lafite has a beautiful Lafite-like elegance and sense of nuance that's always present in the Grand Vin. Based on 56.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, its ruby/purple-tinged hue is followed by a beautiful nose of cassis, lead pencil, black cherries, tobacco leaf, and forest floor. With medium to full-bodied richness, it has a layered, elegant mouthfeel, ripe yet present tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This juicy, textured, balanced 2018 can be drunk today or cellared for 15-20 years or more.

RP94
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Carruades de Lafite is composed of 56.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 5.5% Cabernet Franc. The Merlot was harvested September 17-24, the Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested September 25 to October 5, and the Cabernet Franc was harvested September 24. Deep garnet-purple colored, it reveals a very serious nose of pencil shavings, black tea, violets and dark chocolate with earthy wafts of underbrush and mossy bark over a core of warm cassis, blackberry preserves and black raspberries. Medium to full-bodied, the densely packed, black-fruited palate is laced with loads of compelling mineral sparks with a firm, grainy frame and beautiful freshness to lift the long, earthy finish.
Barrel Sample: 92-94
D93
Decanter
This has rich fruit notes with exotic spices, a silky texture and a seductive approachability that clearly translates the higher than usual amount of Merlot in the blend this year, as with Petit Mouton. It’s a wine that is bound to make a lot of people happy but also means that whereas Lafite is archetypal Lafite, this is perhaps a less classic Carruades.

It still has the tannins of Pauillac, and as so often is the case this year the first time you taste feels easy then they steal up on you and start to layer but this is flexible and approachable, with a menthol finish.