2020 carruades de lafite, pauillac

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Bottle size (ML)

Why We're Buying

Carruades De Lafite is the second wine from Château Lafite Rothschild. While it shares characteristics with the grand vin, the red blend has a personality all its own. As the bridge between modern and traditional winemaking, Carruades De Lafite upholds the name and reputation of its estate.

Critics Scores

Jeb Dunnuck

A baby Lafite with its lead pencil and cassis aromatics as well as beautiful elegance, the 2020 Carruades De Lafite is medium-bodied and has a precise, elegant mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. As with all the wines from this incredible château, its balance and elegance are what set it apart, and it's one of the finest second wines out there. The blend is 52 Cabernet Sauvignon, 42 Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, which is a classic blend for this cuvée.

James Suckling

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.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

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

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.

Vinous

The 2020 Carruades de Lafite is so expressive right out of the gate. Sage, mint, dried herbs, tobacco and incense grace the Carruades with gorgeous aromatic presence. A backbone of fine tannins lends energy and direction. Medium in body and impeccably refined, the 2020 Carruades is shaping up to be a gem. –Antonio Galloni