Private Médoc Wine Tour: Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Julien
Discover the legendary Mèdoc on a fully private and customizable wine tour. Explore Bordeaux's most prestigious appellations- Pauillac, Saint-Julien and Saint-Estèphe ...
Profile
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2022: best 2027 to 2047.
vintage5 yrs25 yrs27 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Wine Advocate reviewed 2025 | 2022 | 94/100 |
| Wine Advocate reviewed 2022 | 2019 | 94/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
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.More wines for duck and goose →
- Braised short rib Richness of long-braised beef is cut by Carruades' still-firm tannin structure.More wines for beef and red meat →
- 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.More wines for lamb →
How to serve Carruades de Lafite
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- 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.
- 1966Modern second wine revived as Moulin de Carruades
- 1979Renamed Carruades de Lafite
- 2024Sourced 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
What does Carruades de Lafite taste like?
On the nose, licorice, black currants, violets, tobacco, plums. On the palate, cassis, dark plum, graphite, cedar, subtle tobacco. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long with minerality finish. 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.
When should I drink Carruades de Lafite?
Drink 5-25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Carruades de Lafite?
Duck confit with lentils is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Braised short rib and Lamb shoulder with garlic and rosemary. The wine's red fruit and tobacco notes mirror duck's savouriness; lentils provide earthiness that anchors the cassis core.
What grapes are in Carruades de Lafite?
The blend is Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot. The wine is classified as Pauillac AOC.
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