Chateau Lafite-Rothschild

Pauillac

 

Classification:

First-growth in 1855

 

Vineyards (red):

Surface area : 247 acres

Average age of vines : 38 years

Blend : 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2 % Petit Verdot

Density of plantation : 8,500 vines per hectare

Average yields (over the last 5 years) : 50 hectoliters per hectare

Total average annual production : 40,000 cases

 

Grand Vin:

Brand name : Chateau Lafite-Rothschild

Appellation : Pauillac

Mean annual production : 18,0000-20,000 cases

Upbringing : Harvesting is done by hand. Fermentations occur in stainless-steel wooden temperature-controlled vats, with remontages twice a day, and last between 18 and 25 days (temperatures go up to 30 degrees centigrade) Malolactics occur in vats, and wines are then transferred to new oak casks for 20 months. They are racked every 3 months, fined (with egg whites), and "slightly" filtered prior to bottling.

 

Second Wine:

Brand name : Carruades de Lafite

Average annual production : 20,000 cases

 

Evaluation of present classification: Should be maintained

Plateau of maturity : 10-35 or more years folloing the vintage.

 

NOTE :

One-third of the total production is usually selected as Lafite, 40% as Carruades, and the rest is sold as generic Pauillac through their distribution system.

 

"Bordeaux's most famous property and wine, Lafite-Rothschild, with its elegant, undersized, and understated label has become a name synonymous with wealth, prestige, history, respect, and wines of remarkable longevity."

 

"Lafite-Rothschild is now producing great wines, and the turnabout in quality clearly occurred with the magnificent 1975. One could successfully argue that since 1981, Lafite-Rothschild has produced one of the Médoc's best wines in years such as 1981, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1995 and 1996."

 

Rated "Outstanding" Robert M. Parker Jr.

 

Carruades de Lafite

Second Wine

 

"I have noticed in my tastings that the second wine of Lafite-Rothschild, Carruades de Lafite, has improved over recent years. The 1996 (86-88), a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot, may turn out to be the finest Carruades I have ever tasted. It possesses as much power, ripeness, and fleshy fruit (because of the high percentage of Merlot) as I have ever detected in this offering. While it does not quite have the characteristics of Lafite, being fleshier and more accessible, it is a beautifully made wine with a subtle dosage of toasty new oak, an appealing texture, and excellent length. Given its power, this second wine will need 2-4 years of cellaring, and keep for 15+ years ( I would not be surprised to see if it last for two decade). The 1995 (87) is a 40% Merlot/60% Cabernet Sauvignon blend. It exhibits more of the trademark characteristics of its bigger sibling. Elegant, with spicy new oak, lead pencil, and creamy black currant fruit, this is a medium-bodied, finess-styled wine with excellent purity and overall equilibrium. It is much more accessible than the 1996, and should drink well between now and 2010."
Robert M. Parker Jr.

 

Carruades de Lafite 1996

(2º Vin of Ch. Lafite, 1º Grand Cru Classe)

(Ch. Lafite 1996 rated 100 by Robert Parker Jr.)