Carruades de Lafite 2020

Château Lafite Rothschild’s second wine, Carruades de Lafite presents similar characteristics to the Grand Vin, but with its own personality linked to a higher proportion of Merlot and to specific plots that are used to produce Carruades. The name comes from the Carruades plateau, a group of plots acquired in 1845 just next to the vines on the Château hilltop.

Grape Composition: 50-70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30-50% Merlot, 0-5% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Wine Advocate: 93
Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Carruades de Lafite, like its big sibling, is a little youthfully shy to begin, soon unfurling to offer notes of Morello cherries, raspberry leaves, baked blackberries and spice box, plus suggestions of pencil lead, lavender and Provence herbs. The medium-bodied palate is chock-full of juicy black fruits, framed by velvety tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long and lifted. This 2020 is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot.

Wine Advocate: 93

Deep purple-black in color, the 2020 Carruades de Lafite, like its big sibling, is a little youthfully shy to begin, soon unfurling to offer notes of Morello cherries, raspberry leaves, baked blackberries and spice box, plus suggestions of pencil lead, lavender and Provence herbs. The medium-bodied palate is chock-full of juicy black fruits, framed by velvety tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long and lifted. This 2020 is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot.

Decanter: 92
More Merlot than in 2019, but as you find repeatedly in 2020, the Cabernet Sauvignon plays an oversized role in the flavour profile. This has a ton of impact and intensity, coffee and black chocolate with angular tannins that will benefit from softening over ageing. Plenty of Pauillac signature here, with liquorice root and tobacco leaf. A slate texture gives definition to the end of play. 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

Decanter: 92

More Merlot than in 2019, but as you find repeatedly in 2020, the Cabernet Sauvignon plays an oversized role in the flavour profile. This has a ton of impact and intensity, coffee and black chocolate with angular tannins that will benefit from softening over ageing. Plenty of Pauillac signature here, with liquorice root and tobacco leaf. A slate texture gives definition to the end of play. 3% Petit Verdot completes the blend.

Wine Enthusiast: 95
With its elegant tannins and velvety Merlot in the blend, the wine brings out both the richness of the year and its great fruit. Behind it all there is this superb structure that makes this second wine of Lafite-Rothschild a great wine in its own right.

James Suckling: 97
This is very classically structured with a palate that starts off slowly. Full-bodied and chewy with a soft, creamy texture and a long finish. Savory. A touch austere. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot and 3% cabernet franc, the rest petit verdot.

Jeb Dunnuck: 93
This Chateau has made truly legendary wines in 2020. Looking at the vintage, the harvest occurred all in September, and their second wine, the 2020 Carruades De Lafite, is based on 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that was raised in 90% new French oak. The alcohol hit 13% and the pH is 3.84. It's much more open and expressive than the Grand Vin and offers beautiful darker red and black fruits as well as leafy tobacco, cedar pencil, and spicy nuances. Medium-bodied, layered, and concentrated, it has the vintage's more structured, firm feel on the palate, rock-solid mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It needs 4-5 years of bottle age but will evolve for two decades.

Jeb Dunnuck: 93

This Chateau has made truly legendary wines in 2020. Looking at the vintage, the harvest occurred all in September, and their second wine, the 2020 Carruades De Lafite, is based on 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that was raised in 90% new French oak. The alcohol hit 13% and the pH is 3.84. It's much more open and expressive than the Grand Vin and offers beautiful darker red and black fruits as well as leafy tobacco, cedar pencil, and spicy nuances. Medium-bodied, layered, and concentrated, it has the vintage's more structured, firm feel on the palate, rock-solid mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It needs 4-5 years of bottle age but will evolve for two decades.