Presentation
As a result of a careful selection process over the last twenty years, Carruades has characteristics similar to those of a grand vin, but with its own personality thanks to a higher proportion of Merlot in its composition and to parcels that are now clearly identified as producing Carruades. The origin of the name comes from the plateau des Carruades, the place name of a group of plots adjoining the croup of Château and acquired in 1845 by Château Lafite. In the 19th century, Carruades wines were marketed separately from Château Lafite before finally being included. The Carruades name was then adopted for the Second wine of Château Lafite, first called "Moulin des Carruades", then "Carruades de Lafite" since the 1980s.
The vintage
The start of the viticultural year was marked by a cold and relatively wet winter, resulting in a slightly later budburst than in 2009, around mid-April. The sunny Sec weather in April was particularly favourable for vine development.
May and June were characterized by alternating rainy spells and sunny days. The beginning of June was marked by a wave of cool weather which complicated the flowering of the Merlots, leading to coulure and millerandage.
Fortunately, the month of July was very Sec (rainfall under 20 mm), with relatively high temperatures that enabled the grapes to make up for the delay in flowering.
The months of August and September were very Secs, with fine daytime temperatures and cool nights, completing the slow and complete ripening of the grapes.
Situation
The Pauillac appellation is located on the Rive gauche of the Gironde estuary, around 40 km north of Bordeaux. Benefiting from the influence of the estuary and a great diversity of soils originating from the Massif Central and the Pyrenees, Pauillac combines exceptional climatic and geological conditions to produce great wines.
Terroir
Château Lafite Rothschild is located to the north of the Pauillac appellation, on the edge of Saint-Estèphe. The vineyard comprises three main areas: the slopes around Château, the plateau des Carruades to the west and a 4.5-hectare parcel in the Saint-Estèphe appellation. The surface area is 112 ha and the soils are made up of fine, deep, well-drained, well-exposed gravel mixed with Aeolian sands on a tertiary limestone subsoil.
Winemaking
Carruades de Lafite is made according to the traditional winemaking methods of Bordeaux. Alcoholic fermentation is carried out in wood, cement and stainless steel vats. Light pumping-over helps to Extra extract tannins and color. These are carried out according to the characteristics of each vat. Total maceration time is approximately 20 days.
Following malolactic fermentation, the wines are filled into French oak barrels made by Tonnellerie des Domaines to Pauillac for an ageing period of around 18 months.
Tasting
Floral nose. Notes of ripe fruit, blackcurrant, cedar and spices.
Dense, rich wine with very fine, mellow tannins.
Excellent length, well-balanced and elegant.
