Chateau Lafite Rothschild

For 6 generations the family of Rothschild is synonomous with quality and luxury when it comes to the world of wine. First noted as a wine producer in the 1200's it earned the 1855 classification of a Premier Grand Cru Classe even before the chateau was acquired in 1868 by Baron James Rothschild. Today the family owns 9 seperate domaines expanding to countries outside of France including Chile, New Zealand and China. The Carruades de Lafite is the 2nd label of it's famous first growth Chateau Lafite. While Lafite will use 100% new barrels, the Carruades use the same barrels, but a year later. The 2016 vintage is a blenf of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. The terroir of Pauillac shines through with an intense floral nose of lavender and other flowers, yet black currant, tobacco, pencil lead and cedar. Great ageing potential!

Deep, dark ruby-red is not quite opaque. The nose is classic for Lafite, with meaty notes to the dark fruit complimenting cedary oak. The aromas are deep & brooding. Cassis & dark fruit on the palate is overlaid by coffee notes & plentiful cedar. There is excellent freshness. There is a good concentration of deep, dark fruit supported by fine tannins. Alcohol is balanced & the finish is long. This is a nice classic example of Lafite.

As so often with Lafite, it is power that marks this wine. That, and density of texture. The additional element in this vintage, and at this stage of the wine's development, is a dominant wood element. The vanilla and tannins from the wood match well with the concentrated tannins of the fruit, which is dark, dense and tight. This is a wine for long-term aging: in 15 years this will have superb richness.

Chateau Lafite Rothschild (Pauillac) – there’s no denying that no matter what vintage, the name of Rothschild will carry the weight and cachet for selling itself, not to mention scoring very high. Cassis, raspberry coulis, and blackberry dominate on a palate of crisp tannins, enormous structure and concentration. Always give this time to age to allow the wine to come into itself. Drink from 2027- 2045. 

"This wine is poised, gathering freshness and good acidity in the same structured container as the pure black-currant fruits. With 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine has a classicism about it: fruity and structured at the same time. Drink from 2024. Roger Voss" - 97/100, Wine Enthusiast

Amazing aromas here with tobacco, crushed stone, cigar box, currants, tar, and lead pencil, as well as spices, iron, and dried ginger. Medium- to full-bodied, with a density and tightness. Very compact and complex. Racy. Delicacy with strength. Orange peel undertones. A wine to contemplate. You must understand it to understand the great Lafites of the past and those of the future. Only 12.8% alcohol. 92% cabernet sauvignon, 7% merlot and 1% petit verdot.

Polished and refined with a firm, fine and linear tannin structure. Harmonious. Perfumed violets, roses and subtle licorice. All in balance here, with precise layers of black fruit, minerals and pencil lead. Rather seamless. Firm, yet fine and sleek to the end. Very classy. Fine-velvet texture. 96% cabernet sauvignon, 3% merlot and 1% petit verdot.

As if visiting a First Growth Bordeaux château and tasting the wares, including pristinely cellared library vintages, wasn't awesome enough, the folks at Lafite-Rothschild take the experience one step further. For many years, they have treated esteemed guests and friends to rare and impeccable old Cognac and Armagnac casks individually selected by the Lafite winemaking team themselves. While the secret was well-kept for decades, word eventually got out and demand for these ultra-rare, premium spirits started to reach a fever pitch. Thankfully, the château took it upon themselves to release a few precious bottles each year into the market, and we were recently lucky enough to get our hands on a miniscule allocation. The Très Vieille Réserve Cognac is constructed from lots of at least 50 years in age and sourced from Grande Champagne and Borderies. Quite simply, the opportunity to own a bottle of this unicorn spirit is a gateway into one of the most exclusive clubs in the world.

A second, though equally precious release from the cellars of Lafite Rothschild is this venerable Bas Armagnac, produced from 70% Baco and 30% Ugni Blanc and composed of material aged between thirty and forty-two years. Like the Tres Vieille Reserve Cognac, the Vieille Reserve Armagnac has been part of a way of life at Rothschilds for decades where it's a family tradition to serve the finest spirits to friends and relations. More recently Lafite were cajoled into making these spirits available outside of close family circles.

Working with a small number of vignerons and distillers and with advice from Armagnac specialists, the Lafite team select well-aged "pieces" (casks in Armagnac) classified among the finest the appellation has to offer. The idea is simply to express "the best for Lafite". Style, continuity and a desire to do things slightly differently result in a blend from multiple harvests. The current composition was sourced from the Darroze family's stocks. They remain the watchful and patient custodians of 250 Armagnacs, including more than 50 vintages spanning a century, most sourced from the western portion of the Bas-Armagnac region. The family is highly respected on their home ground and abroad (uber wine critic, Robert Parker named Francois Darroze,“the Pope of Armagnac”). Together with son Marc, they continue to roam the best estates and terroirs in search of the most distinctive brandies. Arriving with Lafite's seal of approval in a handsome oak box and wax-sealed antique bottle, this is guaranteed to be one the most impressive examples money can buy. Very limited stocks. 43% Alc./Vol.