Carruades de Lafite 2017 - 1.5 Litre Bottle

Chateau Lafite Rothschild's second wine, Carruades de Lafite, presents similar characteristics to the Grand Vin but with its personality linked to a higher proportion of Merlot and specific plots 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.

94 Points - James Suckling

So much rich, sweet tobacco with currants, spices, and graphite. Full-bodied, tight and focused with oyster-shell and lead-pencil character on the palate. Tangy, spicy and peppery. It needs three to four years to soften, but already beautiful.

91+ Points - Wine Enthusiast

A classic blend with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, this is richly structured and well concentrated. Its dark black fruit notes give depth and a juicy character to match the structure.

91 Points - Jeb Dunnuck

Brought up in just 20% new oak, the 2017 Carruades De Lafite checks in as 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and a splash of Cabernet Franc. It has that classic Lafite-like elegance and lead pencil character, ripe red currants and tobacco notes, a medium body, a rounded, seamless texture, and present yet ripe tannins. It's a charming, elegant second wine that will evolve for 15-20 years.

91 Points - Decanter

Lafite got to enjoy a year without excess and frost, and this is elegant stuff. The tannins are rigid at the beginning, supporting firm black autumnal fruits, classically framed and a touch austere, with cigar box smoke adding a swirl of complexity. As with many of the second wines in Pauillac this year, this is excellently put together but on the savoury side, reflecting the story of the vintage. 20% new oak. This is sure to age well and be ready to drink within four to eight years.

91 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2017 Carruades de Lafite is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple coloured, it prances out of the glass with joyful notions of black cherries, redcurrant jelly and cassis, plus hints of kirsch, cedar chest, pencil lead and a waft of raspberry leaves. Medium-bodied, the palate possesses bags of poise and freshness, dishing out lots of bright red and black fruits with a soft, finely-grained frame, finishing long with a skip in its step.