Carruades de Lafite Rothschild 2009 - Pauillac

The Producer

The history of Château Lafite Rothschild dates back to the 13th century, when the estate is first mentioned as a vineyard property in 1234. Its true rise began in the 17th century under the influence of Jacques de Ségur, and then his son Nicolas-Alexandre, the famous "Prince of Vines," who helped to make Lafite wines known to the court of France and the great European families. In 1855, during the official classification of Bordeaux wines requested by Napoleon III, the estate was awarded the prestigious rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé. In 1868, it was acquired by Baron James de Rothschild, whose descendants still own it today.

Located on the gravelly slopes of the Pauillac appellation, the vineyard extends over a little more than 100 hectares, benefiting from an exceptional terroir composed of deep gravels resting on a limestone subsoil. Cabernet Sauvignon occupies a largely dominant place, complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and a small proportion of Petit Verdot. This mosaic of soils, combined with often old vines and particularly demanding viticulture, gives rise to wines of remarkable finesse, renowned for their elegance, aromatic precision, and extraordinary aging potential.

Today, Château Lafite Rothschild remains one of the absolute references of the Bordeaux vineyard and collectible wine. Under the direction of the Rothschild family, with Saskia de Rothschild at the helm of the estate since 2018, the property continues significant work to preserve its heritage while developing increasingly sustainable viticultural practices. The Grand Vin is accompanied by its second wine, Carruades de Lafite, as well as Anseillan, a more recent cuvée intended to express another facet of the Pauillac terroir. Vintage after vintage, Lafite Rothschild embodies the balance between tradition, innovation, and the constant pursuit of excellence.

The Wine

Carruades de Lafite is made according to the traditional winemaking methods of Bordeaux. The alcoholic fermentation is successfully carried out in wooden, cement, and stainless steel tanks. Light pump-overs facilitate the extraction of tannins and color. They are performed according to the characteristics of each tank. The total maceration time is about 20 days.

Following malolactic fermentation, the wines are placed in French oak barrels made by the Tonnellerie des Domaines in Pauillac for aging of about 16 months.

Tasting