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.
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.
- 1966 — Modern second wine revived as Moulin de Carruades
- 1979 — Renamed Carruades de Lafite
- 2024 — Sourced entirely from certified organic vineyards following estate-wide Ecocert transition
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau Lafite Rothschild
- 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
Scores
- Wine Advocate 94 (2022 vintage, reviewed 2025)
- Wine Advocate 94 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)