Carruades de Lafite

In the glass

Aroma: licorice, black currants, violets, tobacco, plums, spice

Palate: cassis, dark plum, graphite, cedar, subtle tobacco

The second wine of Lafite shares the elegance and lead-pencil signature of the grand vin but with a higher Merlot component lending earlier approachability. Floral aromatic lift distinguishes it from heavier second wines.

What it pairs with

• Duck confit with lentils
  The wine's red fruit and tobacco notes mirror duck's savouriness; lentils provide earthiness that anchors the cassis core.
• Braised short rib
  Richness of long-braised beef is cut by Carruades' still-firm tannin structure.
• Lamb shoulder with garlic and rosemary
  Herbal notes in the wine's bouquet align with Mediterranean aromatics; moderate tannins match the texture of slow-cooked lamb.

How to serve Carruades de Lafite

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
4. Pair with. Duck confit with lentils, Braised short rib, Lamb shoulder with garlic and rosemary. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

The estate produced a second wine under the name Moulin des Carruades in the mid-19th century but discontinued the practice. The modern second wine was revived with the 1966 vintage as Moulin de Carruades. The name was shortened to Carruades de Lafite in 1979. The Carruades plateau is one of the highest-elevation gravel terroirs on the Left Bank.

1. 1966: Modern second wine revived as Moulin de Carruades
2. 1979: Renamed Carruades de Lafite
3. 2024: Sourced entirely from certified organic vineyards following estate-wide Ecocert transition

Facts

Producer

Chateau Lafite Rothschild · visiting guide

Grapes

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

Classification

Pauillac AOC

Oak

18 months in 50-55% new French oak barriques

ABV

13.0%

Price

$200-350 at retail

Drinking window

5-25 from vintage

First vintage

1966

Organic

ECOCERT

Frequently asked about Carruades de Lafite

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