Appellations

Carruades de Lafite (2nd wine of Ch Lafite) 2015

Pauillac, Second wine

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Tasting Notes

The 2015 Carruades de Lafite has developed a little more energy since I tasted it in bottle, with blackberry, bilberry fruit and that slate-like note tucked in just underneath. It feels quite unchanged since I encountered it from barrel. The palate is well balanced and actually shows more energy and tension than the 2015 Duhart at the moment. Crisp tannin, quite edgy and certainly with a healthy dash of white pepper, it opens up nicely toward the finish, with commendable precision and length. It is one of the best Carruades that I have encountered in recent vintages.

Score: 91 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2034 Date: 01 March 2018

The 2015 Carruades de Lafite is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc. This has a satisfying purity on the nose: blackberry and briary, a distant, cold slate-like note just underneath, with the new oak (close to 20%) neatly subsumed. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin. There is moderate depth to this slightly foursquare and conservative Carruades, but there is also plenty of freshness and it has an appealing, unassuming finish that is both harmonious and precise. Probably one of the most approachable deuxième vins, afford this 2-3 years in bottle before broaching.

Score: 89 - 91 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2019-2028 Date: 01 April 2016

A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc and aged for 18 months in barrels, 10% new, the 2015 Carruades de Lafite is medium to deep garnet-purple colored and just a little closed at this youthful stage, revealing delicate notes of red and black plums, black cherries and dried herbs plus touches of pencil lead, cedar chest and beef drippings. Medium-bodied, refreshing and with a well-played chewy texture, although just a baby in terms of evolution, it has an accessible structure, finishing long and savory.

Score: 91 Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2020-2032 Date: 21 February 2018

Lead-pencil aromas with currants and plums, too. Full body, silky tannins and a focused and very refined finish. It's the tannins that drive things. An excellent second wine of Lafite. Needs two or three years to soften. Start drinking in 2021.

Score: 94 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 02 February 2018

A silky and fine second wine of Lafite with blueberry, blackberry and flower aromas and flavors. Cedar and nuts too.

Score: 92 - 93 James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com Date: 01 April 2016

The 2015 Carruades de Lafite is terrific. Pliant, supple and inviting, the 2015 offers notable radiance and suppleness, with pretty Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics to play off the racy fruit. Red plum, licorice and dried flowers lead into an effortless, pliant finish that adds to the wine's considerable appeal.

Score: 91 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Maturity: 2018-2030 Date: 01 February 2018

The2015 Carruades de Lafite is a very pretty second wine. Dark, sensual and inviting, the 2015 Carruades is super-expressive today. Graphite, plum, black cherry, lavender and licorice are all nicely delineated throughout. The higher presence of Merlot gives the Carruades lovely inner sweetness and perfume. This is very nicely done.

Score: 90 - 93 Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com Date: 01 April 2016

The second wine of Lafite Rothschild is the 2015 Carruades De Lafite and is a beautiful wine in its own right. Based on 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc brought up mostly in used barrels, it has classy notes of cassis and lead pencil shavings as well as a medium to full-bodied, elegant, beautifully balanced style on the palate. It’s not a massive wine by any stretch, yet it exudes class and elegance, and is already a joy to drink.

Score: 92 Jeb Dunnuck, - Maturity: 2018-2033 Date: 30 November 2017

The second wine of Chateau Lafite with a huge following in Asia. Slightly muted on the nose but with ripe soft fruit in the centre with some kirsch notes behind. Creamy with vivid tannins on the finish.

Score: 90 - 92 Albany Vintners, - Date: 27 April 2016

57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc. Relatively light crimson. Light, rather timid nose. Drying tannins on the end. Very pretty and polite but not at all dramatic!

Score: 16 - 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2023-2031 Date: 01 April 2016