Lafite Rothschild
About Château Lafite Rothschild
Château Lafite-Rothschild is one of the most collectable wines in the world. Purchased in 1868 it has remained continuously in the Rothschild family. Less powerful than Latour and more classical than Mouton, the hallmarks of this wine of wines is a taut, lithe, willowy muscularity, enveloped by transcendent just-ripe black fruit with the perfect sweetness of blackcurrant, black cherry and plum. The scent of Lafite often beguiles its fortunate drinkers and the mythical, irresistible perfume of wonderful cedar, so fresh and elegant, must be experienced to be believed.
Part of Lafite’s centuries-long success lies in its situation on some of the most gravel-dominant terroir in the Médoc. Up to ten metres deep with the stuff in some places, there are a few pockets of aeolian black sand and bedrock of limestone to complete the soils. Naturally conducive to the production of the most unbelievable Cabernet Sauvignon, the Grand Vin of Château Lafite Rothschild is frequently composed of up to 90% of the varietal. Couple this with the outstandingly talented team, headed for 40 years by the imperious Charles Chevallier (until 2018), and we have an estate whose strength lies in its being “a spectrum of flavours rather than a strong expression of any particular one” in the words of Chevallier’s replacement, Eric Kohler.
The 1996 vintage onwards heralded some of the best wines in their history; 2003 and 2009 are notably outstanding. Elegant, fresh, with great fruit purity and remarkable ageing potential. The second wine, Carruades de Lafite, has also been intensely collected over the past decade.

Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Bordeaux | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£505.24 |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 90 (VN (ST)) |
Inc. VAT
£3,970.87 |
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90)Good bright red-ruby. Dark aromas of cassis, blueberry, licorice, violet, mint and bitter chocolate, along with a faint note of candied berries. Tightly wound and quite juicy, with a strong mineral spine giving it a rather linear, lean impression. But classy and not at all hard, with lovely underlying fruit. Finishes firmly tannic and fresh. Not fat, but subtle and stylish. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 87 (VN (ST)) |
Inc. VAT
£3,368.47 |
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (87)Dark ruby-red. Withdrawn aromas of currant and herbs. Dry and quite closed, with limited sweetness. Flavors of plum, leather and currant leaf show only modest ripeness. Firm acids give this wine a slight sour edge. |
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Bordeaux | 3 | 91 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£4,588.87 |
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Wine Advocate (91)There are 20,000 cases of the gorgeous 2003 Carruades de Lafite. Despite record heat in June, July and August, this wine only hit 12.8% alcohol, which seems modest compared to the higher alcohol levels of 2009 and 2010. A final blend of 50% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc has resulted in a second wine with a Lafite Rothschild-like character, plenty of creme de cassis, cedarwood and graphite notes as well as a supple, lush texture. It has reached full maturity where it should remain for another 5-10 years. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 17.5 (JR) |
Inc. VAT
£3,171.67 |
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Jancis Robinson (17.5)Lively and fresh. Less dense than many. Racy and very juicy. Delicate. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 91 (WE) |
Inc. VAT
£1,376.03 |
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Wine Enthusiast (91)Though this is the second wine for Lafite-Rothschild, it is a major wine in its own right, with its dense, powered fruit and a structure obviously built to last. There is sweet, rich fruit and lively vibrant acidity. Imported by Domaines Barons de Rothschild and multiple U.S. importers. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 90 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£4,279.27 |
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Wine Advocate (90)The second wine, the 2007 Carraudes de Lafite, is nearly equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with tiny dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. A sleeper of the vintage, it offers sexy, ripe berry fruit intermixed with hints of cedarwood, forest floor, and underbrush. This plump, corpulent, fruity effort reveals a velvety texture as well as a lush finish. Enjoy it over the next 8-10 years. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 92 (WE) |
Inc. VAT
£1,796.44 |
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Wine Enthusiast (92)Firm tannins and great freshness, with a touch of bitter chocolate as well as spice and tight tannins. This second wine of Lafite is attractively fruity, easily lifting the weight of tannins. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£3,309.67 |
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James Suckling (95)Currants and blackberries on the nose. Spicy and intense undertones. Full body, with juicy fruit and a soft, very silky texture and a long, long finish. Polished and very pretty. Best Carruades ever. Try in 2018. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,879.24 |
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James Suckling (95)Currants and blackberries on the nose. Spicy and intense undertones. Full body, with juicy fruit and a soft, very silky texture and a long, long finish. Polished and very pretty. Best Carruades ever. Try in 2018. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£4,644.07 |
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James Suckling (95)This smells like a bouquet of flowers with blueberries and currants and spices. Full body, yet agile and refined. So fine and pretty. It's balanced and in harmony. Savory. A smoky, decadent and meat undertone. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£3,708.46 |
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James Suckling (95)This smells like a bouquet of flowers with blueberries and currants and spices. Full body, yet agile and refined. So fine and pretty. It's balanced and in harmony. Savory. A smoky, decadent and meat undertone. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,371.62 |
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James Suckling (95)This smells like a bouquet of flowers with blueberries and currants and spices. Full body, yet agile and refined. So fine and pretty. It's balanced and in harmony. Savory. A smoky, decadent and meat undertone. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£2,124.04 |
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James Suckling (95)This smells like a bouquet of flowers with blueberries and currants and spices. Full body, yet agile and refined. So fine and pretty. It's balanced and in harmony. Savory. A smoky, decadent and meat undertone. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 87-89 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£4,536.07 |
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Wine Advocate (87-89)The 2011 Carruades de Lafite is composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Soft berry fruit, underbrush, fresh herb and bay leaf characteristics as well as soft tannins, a velvety texture, and a medium-bodied, slightly superficial, but satisfying style suggest this 2011 should be consumed over the next 10-15 years. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 92 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£4,536.07 |
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James Suckling (92)Pretty density and flavor for Carruades in this less than perfect year. Shows tobacco, cream and chocolate aromas and flavors with black currants. Full to medium body, fresh finish. Drink now or hold. |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 90+ (VN (AG)) |
Inc. VAT
£1,830.04 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (90+)The tannins in the 2014 Carruades de Lafite are nearly buried by the richness of the fruit. Even so, the wine needs at least a few years in barrel, as it is pretty tightly wound at this stage. The combination of plush dark fruit and bright acidity is compelling. Hints of blood orange, flowers and spices hint at what the Grand Vin will offer in time. The blend is 58 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 42 % Merlot. Carruades de Lafite represents 25 % of the château's production. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 92-93 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£4,536.07 |
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James Suckling (92-93)A silky and fine second wine of Lafite with blueberry, blackberry and flower aromas and flavors. Cedar and nuts too. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 92-93 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£2,016.04 |
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James Suckling (92-93)A silky and fine second wine of Lafite with blueberry, blackberry and flower aromas and flavors. Cedar and nuts too. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 94-95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,993.24 |
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James Suckling (94-95)The most tannic and textured Carruades ever. Full-bodied, big and powerful. Very, very long. New style? |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 92-93 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£2,216.44 |
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James Suckling (92-93)A bright Carruades with cedar and tobacco character. Medium to full body and medium chewy tannins. Very pretty center palate. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95-96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,338.83 |
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James Suckling (95-96)This is an extremely fine-grained Carraudes with a complex character of chocolate, walnut, cedar and a hint of graphite. Medium-to full-bodied, tight and chewy but, at the same time, agile and light. Savory finish. Special. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95-96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£2,423.26 |
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James Suckling (95-96)This is an extremely fine-grained Carraudes with a complex character of chocolate, walnut, cedar and a hint of graphite. Medium-to full-bodied, tight and chewy but, at the same time, agile and light. Savory finish. Special. |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 95-96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,768.84 |
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James Suckling (95-96)This is an extremely fine-grained Carraudes with a complex character of chocolate, walnut, cedar and a hint of graphite. Medium-to full-bodied, tight and chewy but, at the same time, agile and light. Savory finish. Special. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95-96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,705.24 |
|||||
James Suckling (95-96)This is an extremely fine-grained Carraudes with a complex character of chocolate, walnut, cedar and a hint of graphite. Medium-to full-bodied, tight and chewy but, at the same time, agile and light. Savory finish. Special. |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£936.02 |
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James Suckling (96)This is a beautiful Carraudes with currant, sweet-tobacco and wet-earth aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with a dense center-palate and tight, polished tannins. Fresh, with tension. Reminds me of the 1995 Lafite. This is so Lafite in character. It shows so much cabernet sauvignon character. It’s 68% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot and the rest cabernet franc. Try after 2026. |
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|
Bordeaux | 6 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,568.44 |
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James Suckling (96)This is a beautiful Carraudes with currant, sweet-tobacco and wet-earth aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with a dense center-palate and tight, polished tannins. Fresh, with tension. Reminds me of the 1995 Lafite. This is so Lafite in character. It shows so much cabernet sauvignon character. It’s 68% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot and the rest cabernet franc. Try after 2026. |
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|
Bordeaux | 4 | 96-97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£405.20 |
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James Suckling (96-97)This is very classically structured with a palate that starts off slowly. Full-bodied and chewy with a soft, creamy texture and a long finish. Savory. A touch austere. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot and 3% cabernet franc, the rest petit verdot. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 96-97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£918.62 |
|||||
James Suckling (96-97)This is very classically structured with a palate that starts off slowly. Full-bodied and chewy with a soft, creamy texture and a long finish. Savory. A touch austere. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot and 3% cabernet franc, the rest petit verdot. |
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|
Bordeaux | 3 | 96-97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,627.24 |
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James Suckling (96-97)This is very classically structured with a palate that starts off slowly. Full-bodied and chewy with a soft, creamy texture and a long finish. Savory. A touch austere. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot and 3% cabernet franc, the rest petit verdot. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bordeaux | 1 | - |
In Bond
£405.00 |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 90 (VN (ST)) |
In Bond
£3,277.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90)Good bright red-ruby. Dark aromas of cassis, blueberry, licorice, violet, mint and bitter chocolate, along with a faint note of candied berries. Tightly wound and quite juicy, with a strong mineral spine giving it a rather linear, lean impression. But classy and not at all hard, with lovely underlying fruit. Finishes firmly tannic and fresh. Not fat, but subtle and stylish. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 87 (VN (ST)) |
In Bond
£2,775.00 |
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (87)Dark ruby-red. Withdrawn aromas of currant and herbs. Dry and quite closed, with limited sweetness. Flavors of plum, leather and currant leaf show only modest ripeness. Firm acids give this wine a slight sour edge. |
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|
Bordeaux | 3 | 91 (WA) |
In Bond
£3,792.00 |
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Wine Advocate (91)There are 20,000 cases of the gorgeous 2003 Carruades de Lafite. Despite record heat in June, July and August, this wine only hit 12.8% alcohol, which seems modest compared to the higher alcohol levels of 2009 and 2010. A final blend of 50% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc has resulted in a second wine with a Lafite Rothschild-like character, plenty of creme de cassis, cedarwood and graphite notes as well as a supple, lush texture. It has reached full maturity where it should remain for another 5-10 years. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 17.5 (JR) |
In Bond
£2,611.00 |
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Jancis Robinson (17.5)Lively and fresh. Less dense than many. Racy and very juicy. Delicate. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 91 (WE) |
In Bond
£1,136.00 |
|||||
Wine Enthusiast (91)Though this is the second wine for Lafite-Rothschild, it is a major wine in its own right, with its dense, powered fruit and a structure obviously built to last. There is sweet, rich fruit and lively vibrant acidity. Imported by Domaines Barons de Rothschild and multiple U.S. importers. |
|||||||||
|
Bordeaux | 1 | 90 (WA) |
In Bond
£3,534.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (90)The second wine, the 2007 Carraudes de Lafite, is nearly equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with tiny dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. A sleeper of the vintage, it offers sexy, ripe berry fruit intermixed with hints of cedarwood, forest floor, and underbrush. This plump, corpulent, fruity effort reveals a velvety texture as well as a lush finish. Enjoy it over the next 8-10 years. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 92 (WE) |
In Bond
£1,481.00 |
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Wine Enthusiast (92)Firm tannins and great freshness, with a touch of bitter chocolate as well as spice and tight tannins. This second wine of Lafite is attractively fruity, easily lifting the weight of tannins. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
In Bond
£2,726.00 |
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James Suckling (95)Currants and blackberries on the nose. Spicy and intense undertones. Full body, with juicy fruit and a soft, very silky texture and a long, long finish. Polished and very pretty. Best Carruades ever. Try in 2018. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,550.00 |
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James Suckling (95)Currants and blackberries on the nose. Spicy and intense undertones. Full body, with juicy fruit and a soft, very silky texture and a long, long finish. Polished and very pretty. Best Carruades ever. Try in 2018. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
In Bond
£3,838.00 |
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James Suckling (95)This smells like a bouquet of flowers with blueberries and currants and spices. Full body, yet agile and refined. So fine and pretty. It's balanced and in harmony. Savory. A smoky, decadent and meat undertone. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
In Bond
£3,069.00 |
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James Suckling (95)This smells like a bouquet of flowers with blueberries and currants and spices. Full body, yet agile and refined. So fine and pretty. It's balanced and in harmony. Savory. A smoky, decadent and meat undertone. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,135.00 |
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James Suckling (95)This smells like a bouquet of flowers with blueberries and currants and spices. Full body, yet agile and refined. So fine and pretty. It's balanced and in harmony. Savory. A smoky, decadent and meat undertone. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,754.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (95)This smells like a bouquet of flowers with blueberries and currants and spices. Full body, yet agile and refined. So fine and pretty. It's balanced and in harmony. Savory. A smoky, decadent and meat undertone. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 87-89 (WA) |
In Bond
£3,748.00 |
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Wine Advocate (87-89)The 2011 Carruades de Lafite is composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Soft berry fruit, underbrush, fresh herb and bay leaf characteristics as well as soft tannins, a velvety texture, and a medium-bodied, slightly superficial, but satisfying style suggest this 2011 should be consumed over the next 10-15 years. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 92 (JS) |
In Bond
£3,748.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (92)Pretty density and flavor for Carruades in this less than perfect year. Shows tobacco, cream and chocolate aromas and flavors with black currants. Full to medium body, fresh finish. Drink now or hold. |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 90+ (VN (AG)) |
In Bond
£1,509.00 |
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Vinous - Antonio Galloni (90+)The tannins in the 2014 Carruades de Lafite are nearly buried by the richness of the fruit. Even so, the wine needs at least a few years in barrel, as it is pretty tightly wound at this stage. The combination of plush dark fruit and bright acidity is compelling. Hints of blood orange, flowers and spices hint at what the Grand Vin will offer in time. The blend is 58 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 42 % Merlot. Carruades de Lafite represents 25 % of the château's production. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 92-93 (JS) |
In Bond
£3,748.00 |
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James Suckling (92-93)A silky and fine second wine of Lafite with blueberry, blackberry and flower aromas and flavors. Cedar and nuts too. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 92-93 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,664.00 |
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James Suckling (92-93)A silky and fine second wine of Lafite with blueberry, blackberry and flower aromas and flavors. Cedar and nuts too. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 94-95 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,645.00 |
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James Suckling (94-95)The most tannic and textured Carruades ever. Full-bodied, big and powerful. Very, very long. New style? |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 92-93 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,831.00 |
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James Suckling (92-93)A bright Carruades with cedar and tobacco character. Medium to full body and medium chewy tannins. Very pretty center palate. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95-96 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,105.00 |
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James Suckling (95-96)This is an extremely fine-grained Carraudes with a complex character of chocolate, walnut, cedar and a hint of graphite. Medium-to full-bodied, tight and chewy but, at the same time, agile and light. Savory finish. Special. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95-96 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,998.00 |
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James Suckling (95-96)This is an extremely fine-grained Carraudes with a complex character of chocolate, walnut, cedar and a hint of graphite. Medium-to full-bodied, tight and chewy but, at the same time, agile and light. Savory finish. Special. |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 95-96 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,458.00 |
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James Suckling (95-96)This is an extremely fine-grained Carraudes with a complex character of chocolate, walnut, cedar and a hint of graphite. Medium-to full-bodied, tight and chewy but, at the same time, agile and light. Savory finish. Special. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 95-96 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,405.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (95-96)This is an extremely fine-grained Carraudes with a complex character of chocolate, walnut, cedar and a hint of graphite. Medium-to full-bodied, tight and chewy but, at the same time, agile and light. Savory finish. Special. |
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|
Bordeaux | 2 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
£772.00 |
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James Suckling (96)This is a beautiful Carraudes with currant, sweet-tobacco and wet-earth aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with a dense center-palate and tight, polished tannins. Fresh, with tension. Reminds me of the 1995 Lafite. This is so Lafite in character. It shows so much cabernet sauvignon character. It’s 68% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot and the rest cabernet franc. Try after 2026. |
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|
Bordeaux | 6 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,291.00 |
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James Suckling (96)This is a beautiful Carraudes with currant, sweet-tobacco and wet-earth aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with a dense center-palate and tight, polished tannins. Fresh, with tension. Reminds me of the 1995 Lafite. This is so Lafite in character. It shows so much cabernet sauvignon character. It’s 68% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot and the rest cabernet franc. Try after 2026. |
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|
Bordeaux | 4 | 96-97 (JS) |
In Bond
£335.00 |
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James Suckling (96-97)This is very classically structured with a palate that starts off slowly. Full-bodied and chewy with a soft, creamy texture and a long finish. Savory. A touch austere. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot and 3% cabernet franc, the rest petit verdot. |
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|
Bordeaux | 1 | 96-97 (JS) |
In Bond
£757.50 |
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James Suckling (96-97)This is very classically structured with a palate that starts off slowly. Full-bodied and chewy with a soft, creamy texture and a long finish. Savory. A touch austere. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot and 3% cabernet franc, the rest petit verdot. |
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|
Bordeaux | 3 | 96-97 (JS) |
In Bond
£1,340.00 |
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James Suckling (96-97)This is very classically structured with a palate that starts off slowly. Full-bodied and chewy with a soft, creamy texture and a long finish. Savory. A touch austere. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot and 3% cabernet franc, the rest petit verdot. |