Carruades de Lafite Rothschild 2025, Pauillac
IN BOND
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Delivery 2028
Appellation - Pauillac
Owner - Rothschild family
First wine – Château Lafite Rothschild
2025 all of Lafite's Cabernet Franc and most of the Merlot went into Carruades and the final blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot with 9% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
Decanting – 2 hours or more
Tasting temperature – 16-18 °C
Ageing in barrel for 18-20 months in new oak barrels
Annual production – 20,000 cases
TASTING NOTES
A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 9% Cabernet France and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2025 Carruades de Lafite exhibits notes of sweet plums and berries mingled with notions of orange zest, cedar and cigar wrapper. Medium- to full-bodied, supple and fleshy, with powdery tannins, lively acids and a gently chalky finish, it checks in at 12.5% alcohol.
91/93
William Kelley, Wine Advocate, April 2026
The 2025 Carruades de Lafite has quite an understated bouquet that needs a little more encouragement than usual. Blackberry, pencil box and light estuarine scents gradually unfurl. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied, with sapid black fruit on the entry, gentle grip, wonderful balance and plenty of freshness and brightness on the finish. What a superb Carruades.Drinking Window
2030 - 2050
92/94
Neal Martin, vinous.com, May 2026
A tight and linear red with red currant, sweet tobacco and cedar aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, fine and creamy tannins. Bright finish. Extremely fine texture for the second wine of Lafite. Typical character of Carruades. A blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot, 9% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot.
95/96
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, May 2025
The energy in the glass in immediately in evidence, richly fragrant autumnal berry fruit, great lift through the palate, mouthwatering on the finish, good balance, chalky, slate-filled tannins, classic, balanced, slate and pumice stone, lots of cassis and bilberry fruit, harvest September 2 - 20. 3.8ph. 2029-2044.
93
Jane Anson, JaneAnson.com, April 2026
The 2025 Carruades de Lafite is a total stunner. It's a great example of how Bordeaux has come along in the last few decades, in that it could have easily been a Grand Vin from another generation—maybe not from a great year, but from many years. Brisk acids and strong floral overtones immediately convey energy. Hints of lavender, rose petal, graphite and spice box are classic Lafite; all the Carruades lacks vis-à-vis its sibling is the classic Lafite mid-palate. This should blossom beautifully with time, and I would be in no rush to open it. What a delight. 2033 - 2050
92/94
Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, April 2026
