CARRUADES DE LAFITE 2nd wine of Ch. Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac 2010 Bottle
Red Still Wine | France | Bordeaux | Pauillac | 75cl
£275.00 / £1,650.00 case
ABV: 13.5%
Size: 75cl
Closure Type: Cork
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Sub-Region: Pauillac
Wine Style: Medium Bodied
Grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Description
The 2010 Carruades de Lafite is a remarkable second wine from Château Lafite Rothschild, impressively scoring 95-96 points from James Suckling for its enticing aromas of smoke, blackcurrants, and blackberries, with added spice and a hint of orange peel. The Wine Advocate awarded it 94 points, praising its elegance and character, showcasing familiar lead pencil and charcoal notes similar to its grand sibling. This vintage exhibits a forward, precocious nature and has a medium-bodied profile with ultra-polished tannins. Structured yet approachable, it promises a delightful drinking experience now and has excellent aging potential, with the ability to cellar beautifully for 20-25 more years. A true testament to the artistry of Lafite winemaking.
*****
JAMES SUCKLING 95-96 points
Incredible smoke, currants and blackberries. Spices too. Full bodied, with ultra-polished tannins and blackberries, blueberries and minerals. Orange peel too. Best Carruades ever?
THE WINE ADVOCATE 94 points
Another brilliant second wine, the 2010 Carruades de Lafite (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42.5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot) is elegant and amazing for a second wine from Lafite. “Carruades de Lafite” is now engraved in the bottle to prevent unscrupulous sommeliers and merchants from trying to pass it off as Lafite Rothschild. The wine displays much of the same lead pencil, charcoal and black currant notes of its bigger sister, although it is forward, precocious and far less structured than the grand vin. Nevertheless, this wine, which can be drunk now, will cellar beautifully for at least 20-25 more years.
VINOUS 89 points
The 2010 Carruades de Lafite has a generous bouquet with “playful” red berry fruit, liquorice and cassis. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins, plush and rounded in texture. It just comes across a little blocky on the finish when I am seeking more tension and delineation. This bottle questions the longevity of this Second label. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting. - Neal Martin
JANCIS ROBINSON 17.5 points
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Mid crimson without great colour intensity. Very savoury and glossy. Immediate polish on the nose here. Raspberries and tar. Great intensity and fluidity. Really this is SO much better than it used to be. Very fine wine by any measure. Bone dry. Minerals and chew on the end but no rustic tannins. Very fine and long. It is admirable that Charles Chevalier puts so much effort into this wine which, although admittedly it is expensive, could be sold several times over in China whatever it tasted like. (JR)
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.