Presentation
Second wine of Château Lafite Rothschild, Carruades de Lafite has characteristics similar to those of the Grand Vin, but with its own personality thanks to a higher proportion of Merlot and specific plots dedicated to the production of Carruades. The origin of the name comes from "plateau des Carruades", the place name of a group of plots adjoining the hilltop of Château, acquired in 1845.
The vintage
The start of winter was mild and Sec it was not until late January that the beneficial cold weather arrived, accompanied by rainfall. Bud-break began in early April as usual, and the vines then developed rapidly thanks to the Réserves of water and the temperate climate. In June, flowering was early and even, a promising sign for the harvest.
The influence of the ocean and estuary mitigated somewhat a hot summer with high temperatures. Water stress was high, but the rains in August provided the necessary coolness for veraison and perfect ripening. Ideal conditions prevailed at harvest time, enabling us to get the best out of each plot.
Harvest: Merlot from September 17 to 23; Cabernet Sauvignon from September 23 to October 6; Cabernet Franc on September 28 and 29
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 a maturation period of around 16 months.
Tasting
Tasting comments at bottling in 2017.
Beautiful dark color and brightness. Beautiful notes of spices and fresh raspberries.
Very supple and round on the palate. The wine then displays youthful, lively tannins of a very fine quality that time will reveal.
The finish is complex and harmonious, with lovely empyreumatic notes.
This is a Carruades that will come into its own in 5/7 years, but also shows all the signs of being a wine to keep for a long time.
To take advantage of the biggest discount, we encourage you to get together with your family, colleagues or friends so that you can easily reach the 24 bottles and benefit from a 15% discount.