Château Lafite Rothschild Carruades de Lafite 2016

Carruades de Lafite 2016 is the celebrated second wine of Château Lafite Rothschild, offering a more approachable entry into one of Bordeaux’s most revered estates. Crafted from a blend of 49% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, it marries elegance, depth and classic Pauillac structure. The 2016 vintage is widely regarded as exceptional in Bordeaux, giving this Carruades remarkable clarity, precision and aging potential.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Carruades de Lafite 2016 shows a deep garnet-purple hue, signaling both concentration and youth. The nose is expressive and layered, opening with ripe baked plums, morello cherries and blackcurrants, followed by nuances of stewed tea, bay leaf, tilled earth and a delicate hint of tree bark and spice. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied yet intense, with a generous core of vibrant red and black fruits at its center. Fine-grained, lightly grainy tannins frame the fruit, lending structure without heaviness, while a line of fresh acidity keeps everything lifted and precise. The finish is long, mineral-driven and refined, with a subtle savory edge. Drinking beautifully now with a decant, this 2016 Carruades has the balance to evolve gracefully over the next 10–15 years, potentially longer in optimal cellaring conditions.

Production
Carruades de Lafite is produced from parcels neighboring the great Lafite vineyards in Pauillac, on the Left Bank of Bordeaux. The terroir is dominated by deep gravel over limestone and clay, a classic matrix that ensures excellent drainage, slow ripening and a distinctive mineral edge in the wines. Grapes are harvested parcel by parcel, typically by hand, to ensure optimal ripeness and careful selection. Vinification follows the same meticulous philosophy as the grand vin: fermentation in temperature-controlled vats, careful extraction to preserve finesse, and aging in French oak barrels (with a lower proportion of new oak than Château Lafite Rothschild) to enhance complexity and texture while maintaining the wine’s elegance and purity of fruit.

Food & Serving
This 2016 Carruades de Lafite pairs beautifully with classic roast lamb, beef tenderloin, duck breast, or game birds, as well as refined dishes featuring mushrooms, truffles or earthy root vegetables. It also works well with aged hard cheeses such as Comté or Manchego. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal expression. Decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended in its youth to open up the bouquet and soften the tannins; with more bottle age, a shorter, gentle decant primarily to remove sediment will be sufficient.

Producer
Château Lafite Rothschild is one of the most storied estates in Bordeaux and a First Growth of the 1855 Classification, synonymous with finesse, longevity and aristocratic Pauillac character. Owned by the Rothschild family since the 19th century, Lafite has long been considered a benchmark for Left Bank Cabernet-based blends. Carruades de Lafite, the estate’s second wine, emerged as a distinct label in the 20th century and has since become one of the world’s most sought-after second wines, prized for offering Lafite’s signature refinement in a more approachable style. The estate’s ongoing commitment to meticulous vineyard management, innovation and respect for terroir has cemented its role as a reference point not only in Pauillac, but across the entire Bordeaux region.

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