Lafite Rothschild
About Château Lafite Rothschild
Château Lafite-Rothschild is one of the most collectable wines in the world. Purchased in 1868 it has remained continuously in the Rothschild family. Less powerful than Latour and more classical than Mouton, the hallmarks of this wine of wines is a taut, lithe, willowy muscularity, enveloped by transcendent just-ripe black fruit with the perfect sweetness of blackcurrant, black cherry and plum. The scent of Lafite often beguiles its fortunate drinkers and the mythical, irresistible perfume of wonderful cedar, so fresh and elegant, must be experienced to be believed.
Part of Lafite’s centuries-long success lies in its situation on some of the most gravel-dominant terroir in the Médoc. Up to ten metres deep with the stuff in some places, there are a few pockets of aeolian black sand and bedrock of limestone to complete the soils. Naturally conducive to the production of the most unbelievable Cabernet Sauvignon, the Grand Vin of Château Lafite Rothschild is frequently composed of up to 90% of the varietal. Couple this with the outstandingly talented team, headed for 40 years by the imperious Charles Chevallier (until 2018), and we have an estate whose strength lies in its being “a spectrum of flavours rather than a strong expression of any particular one” in the words of Chevallier’s replacement, Eric Kohler.
The 1996 vintage onwards heralded some of the best wines in their history; 2003 and 2009 are notably outstanding. Elegant, fresh, with great fruit purity and remarkable ageing potential. The second wine, Carruades de Lafite, has also been intensely collected over the past decade.
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Bordeaux | 1 | - | HK$53,575.00 | |||||
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Bordeaux | 9 | - | HK$2,490.00 | |||||
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Bordeaux | 1 | 84 (WA) | HK$19,115.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (84)The 1992 Carruades de Lafite (Lafite-Rothschild's second wine) reveals light body, adequate ripeness, a soft, smooth texture, and a clean, spicy finish. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 84 (WA) | HK$2,250.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (84)The 1992 Carruades de Lafite (Lafite-Rothschild's second wine) reveals light body, adequate ripeness, a soft, smooth texture, and a clean, spicy finish. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 84-86 (WA) | HK$19,045.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (84-86)Of the 64% of Lafite-Rothschild's harvest eliminated from the grand vin, only 40% made it into Lafite's second wine, Carruades de Lafite. It displays a character similar to Lafite's in its elegance and finesse, as well as fine ripeness, and tasty, curranty fruit wrapped in a medium-bodied, supple framework. A noteworthy introduction to Lafite-Rothschild's elegant style, it should drink well for 5-6 years. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 86-88 (WA) | HK$3,805.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (86-88)I have noticed in my tastings that the second wine of Lafite-Rothschild, Carruades de Lafite, has improved over recent years. The 1996, a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot, may turn out to be the finest Carruades I have ever tasted. It possesses as much power, ripeness, and fleshy fruit (because of the high percentage of Merlot) as I have ever detected in this offering. While it does not quite have the characteristics of Lafite, being fleshier and more accessible, it is a beautifully made wine with a subtle dosage of toasty new oak, an appealing texture, and excellent length. Given its power, this second wine will need 2-4 years of cellaring, and keep for 15+ years (I would not be surprised to see it last for two decades). |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 86-88 (WA) | HK$32,560.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (86-88)I have noticed in my tastings that the second wine of Lafite-Rothschild, Carruades de Lafite, has improved over recent years. The 1996, a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot, may turn out to be the finest Carruades I have ever tasted. It possesses as much power, ripeness, and fleshy fruit (because of the high percentage of Merlot) as I have ever detected in this offering. While it does not quite have the characteristics of Lafite, being fleshier and more accessible, it is a beautifully made wine with a subtle dosage of toasty new oak, an appealing texture, and excellent length. Given its power, this second wine will need 2-4 years of cellaring, and keep for 15+ years (I would not be surprised to see it last for two decades). |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 86-88 (WA) | HK$2,095.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (86-88)I have noticed in my tastings that the second wine of Lafite-Rothschild, Carruades de Lafite, has improved over recent years. The 1996, a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Merlot, may turn out to be the finest Carruades I have ever tasted. It possesses as much power, ripeness, and fleshy fruit (because of the high percentage of Merlot) as I have ever detected in this offering. While it does not quite have the characteristics of Lafite, being fleshier and more accessible, it is a beautifully made wine with a subtle dosage of toasty new oak, an appealing texture, and excellent length. Given its power, this second wine will need 2-4 years of cellaring, and keep for 15+ years (I would not be surprised to see it last for two decades). |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 90 (WA) | HK$1,925.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (90)This has become one of the finest second wines produced. The 1998 (a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc, and 1.5% Petit Verdot) is an outstanding effort. While very Lafite-like (although more supple and forward), it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color in addition to an excellent bouquet of black fruits, smoke, earth, and minerals, supple tannin, an excellent texture, and a long, fine finish. Anticipated maturity: now-2015. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 90 (VN (ST)) | HK$19,490.00 | |||||
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90)Good bright red-ruby. Dark aromas of cassis, blueberry, licorice, violet, mint and bitter chocolate, along with a faint note of candied berries. Tightly wound and quite juicy, with a strong mineral spine giving it a rather linear, lean impression. But classy and not at all hard, with lovely underlying fruit. Finishes firmly tannic and fresh. Not fat, but subtle and stylish. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 89 (VN (ST)) | HK$32,480.00 | |||||
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (89)Bright medium ruby. Aromas of currant, blueberry, violet and licorice. Bright and focused, with modest flesh but lovely dark fruit flavors and grip. Lively acids extend the finish. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 87 (VN (ST)) | HK$22,300.00 | |||||
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (87)Dark ruby-red. Withdrawn aromas of currant and herbs. Dry and quite closed, with limited sweetness. Flavors of plum, leather and currant leaf show only modest ripeness. Firm acids give this wine a slight sour edge. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 87 (VN (ST)) | HK$1,925.00 | |||||
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (87)Dark ruby-red. Withdrawn aromas of currant and herbs. Dry and quite closed, with limited sweetness. Flavors of plum, leather and currant leaf show only modest ripeness. Firm acids give this wine a slight sour edge. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 17.5 (JR) | HK$22,300.00 | |||||
Jancis Robinson (17.5)Lively and fresh. Less dense than many. Racy and very juicy. Delicate. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 17.5 (JR) | HK$9,665.00 | |||||
Jancis Robinson (17.5)Lively and fresh. Less dense than many. Racy and very juicy. Delicate. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 91 (WE) | HK$27,305.00 | |||||
Wine Enthusiast (91)Though this is the second wine for Lafite-Rothschild, it is a major wine in its own right, with its dense, powered fruit and a structure obviously built to last. There is sweet, rich fruit and lively vibrant acidity. Imported by Domaines Barons de Rothschild and multiple U.S. importers. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 91 (WE) | HK$32,560.00 | |||||
Wine Enthusiast (91)Though this is the second wine for Lafite-Rothschild, it is a major wine in its own right, with its dense, powered fruit and a structure obviously built to last. There is sweet, rich fruit and lively vibrant acidity. Imported by Domaines Barons de Rothschild and multiple U.S. importers. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 90 (WA) | HK$22,510.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (90)The second wine, which has soared in quality over the last decade, is an outstanding effort displaying a character similar to that of Lafite, without the size, depth, and aging potential of that wine. The 2006 Carruades de Lafite offers up aromas of graphite, cedar, black currants, sweet cherries, and smoky herbs. This complex, more evolved, medium-bodied, silky-textured, sexy offering will provide plenty of pleasure over the next 15+ years. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 90 (WA) | HK$22,300.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (90)The second wine, which has soared in quality over the last decade, is an outstanding effort displaying a character similar to that of Lafite, without the size, depth, and aging potential of that wine. The 2006 Carruades de Lafite offers up aromas of graphite, cedar, black currants, sweet cherries, and smoky herbs. This complex, more evolved, medium-bodied, silky-textured, sexy offering will provide plenty of pleasure over the next 15+ years. |
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Bordeaux | 7 | 90 (WA) | HK$3,025.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (90)The second wine, the 2007 Carraudes de Lafite, is nearly equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with tiny dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. A sleeper of the vintage, it offers sexy, ripe berry fruit intermixed with hints of cedarwood, forest floor, and underbrush. This plump, corpulent, fruity effort reveals a velvety texture as well as a lush finish. Enjoy it over the next 8-10 years. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 92 (WE) | HK$11,295.00 | |||||
Wine Enthusiast (92)Firm tannins and great freshness, with a touch of bitter chocolate as well as spice and tight tannins. This second wine of Lafite is attractively fruity, easily lifting the weight of tannins. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 95 (JS) | HK$20,615.00 | |||||
James Suckling (95)Currants and blackberries on the nose. Spicy and intense undertones. Full body, with juicy fruit and a soft, very silky texture and a long, long finish. Polished and very pretty. Best Carruades ever. Try in 2018. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) | HK$11,850.00 | |||||
James Suckling (95)Currants and blackberries on the nose. Spicy and intense undertones. Full body, with juicy fruit and a soft, very silky texture and a long, long finish. Polished and very pretty. Best Carruades ever. Try in 2018. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) | HK$31,500.00 | |||||
James Suckling (95)This smells like a bouquet of flowers with blueberries and currants and spices. Full body, yet agile and refined. So fine and pretty. It's balanced and in harmony. Savory. A smoky, decadent and meat undertone. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 95 (JS) | HK$2,775.00 | |||||
James Suckling (95)This smells like a bouquet of flowers with blueberries and currants and spices. Full body, yet agile and refined. So fine and pretty. It's balanced and in harmony. Savory. A smoky, decadent and meat undertone. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) | HK$20,310.00 | |||||
James Suckling (95)This smells like a bouquet of flowers with blueberries and currants and spices. Full body, yet agile and refined. So fine and pretty. It's balanced and in harmony. Savory. A smoky, decadent and meat undertone. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 95 (JS) | HK$7,355.00 | |||||
James Suckling (95)This smells like a bouquet of flowers with blueberries and currants and spices. Full body, yet agile and refined. So fine and pretty. It's balanced and in harmony. Savory. A smoky, decadent and meat undertone. |
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Bordeaux | 2 | 95 (JS) | HK$12,185.00 | |||||
James Suckling (95)This smells like a bouquet of flowers with blueberries and currants and spices. Full body, yet agile and refined. So fine and pretty. It's balanced and in harmony. Savory. A smoky, decadent and meat undertone. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 87-89 (WA) | HK$22,300.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (87-89)The 2011 Carruades de Lafite is composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Soft berry fruit, underbrush, fresh herb and bay leaf characteristics as well as soft tannins, a velvety texture, and a medium-bodied, slightly superficial, but satisfying style suggest this 2011 should be consumed over the next 10-15 years. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 92 (JS) | HK$37,395.00 | |||||
James Suckling (92)Pretty density and flavor for Carruades in this less than perfect year. Shows tobacco, cream and chocolate aromas and flavors with black currants. Full to medium body, fresh finish. Drink now or hold. |