CARRUADES DE LAFITE 2nd wine of Ch. Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac 2002 Bottle
Red Still Wine | France | Bordeaux | Pauillac | 75cl
£179.95
ABV: 12.5%
Size: 75cl
Closure Type: Cork
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Sub-Region: Pauillac
Wine Style: Medium Bodied
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Description
Carruades de Lafite is the esteemed second wine of Château Lafite Rothschild, originally named Moulin des Carruades, reflecting its origins on the Les Carruades plateau near the iconic estate. The vineyard predominantly features 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the remainder consisting of 25% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, with an average vine age of 40 years.
The 2002 vintage of Carruades de Lafite received 87 points from The Wine Advocate, noted for its Lafite signature of lead pencil shavings, red and black currants, and plums, though it's described as leaner and less concentrated than its grand sibling. Jancis Robinson scored it 16 points, commenting on its acidity and suggesting it may always be somewhat hollow. Vinous rated it 85-88 points, highlighting its cool aromas of blackberry and blueberry, alongside a firm structure and good intensity. While it shows potential, this vintage may not reach the heights of other top growths.
*****
The Carruades de Lafite is the second wine of Château Lafite Rothschild. Originally named Moulin des Carruades, it was named after its vineyard, located on the plateau of Les Carruades, a group of parcels of Pauillac not far from the Château Lafite Rothschild estate.
The vineyard is mainly planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (71%), the rest being divided between Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (1%). All these vines are on average 40 years old.
THE WINE ADVOCATE 87 points
Drink 2005 - 2015
Similar to its bigger sibling, but leaner and not nearly as concentrated, as one might expect being a second wine, the 2002 Carruades reveals the Lafite fragrance of lead pencil shavings intermixed with red and black currants, plums, and a hint of cherries. Medium-bodied, with tart acidity, this is a wine to drink over the next decade.
JANCIS ROBINSON 16 points
Drink 2005 - 2010
Very deep crimson and lots of acidity. Great suppleness (good) but a bit hollow (bad). The least impressive of the top-growth second wines. I suspect acidity will always plague this blend of 51 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon and 46 per cent Merlot which represents almost a third of the total crop at Lafite.
VINOUS 85-88 points
Bright medium ruby. Cool aromas of blackberry, blueberry, violet, bitter chocolate and shoe polish, with a faint weedy nuance. Juicy, firm-edged and slightly medicinal; not pliant but showing good intensity. A somewhat hard, austere wine whose green-edged flavors currently clash with its firm tannins. But there's decent underlying density here. - Stephen Tanzer (2003)
A Deeper Dive;
Chateau Lafite Rothschild
Château Lafite Rothschild's vineyard spans an impressive 112 hectares, featuring three main sections: the slopes around the Château, the Carruades plateau to the west, and a 4.5-hectare area located in the neighbouring township of Saint-Estèphe.
The soil composition is notable, comprising fine, deep gravel blended with windblown sand, situated atop well-drained and well-exposed tertiary limestone subsoil. The vineyard produces an array of grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. For the Grand Vin, only grapes from vines that are older than 10 years are selected, ensuring a high-quality output. Each vintage tells its own story, typically featuring a dominant portion of Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by Merlot and a hint of Petit Verdot.
After blending, the wine undergoes aging in new oak barrels for 15 months. Each barrel is tasted individually to guarantee that only the best choices are made for the final blend. Fermentation also plays a crucial role, occurring over a controlled period of 15 days at a temperature of 26°-27°C, allowing the wine to develop its unique character.
