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Château Anseillan, launched in 2022 by DBR Lafite Rothschild, is a new independent wine located in Pauillac, Médoc region of Bordeaux, France. Since the mid-19th century, when its second label, Carruades de Lafite, was introduced, this marks the first time in over 150 years that Lafite has released its third independently positioned flagship red wine. It's not simply a second label or a special vintage, but rather a unique interpretation of the terroir of the estate. With its smooth and palatable style and authentic Lafite winemaking standards, it has become one of the most talked-about wines in Bordeaux in recent years.
The name Anseillan comes from an ancient village within the Château Lafite Rothschild estate, dating back to the 16th century. Located east of the main castle, the area is visible from the castle itself. Historically inhabited by farmers, livestock herders, and winemakers, the area is surrounded by forests, wetlands, and pastures, boasting a pristine and unspoiled environment. In 1970, Elie de Rothschild officially incorporated this land into the Château Lafite Rothschild estate. After decades of land observation and vine optimization, it was confirmed that this plot possessed unique terroir potential distinct from the main Lafite vineyard. Finally, in 2022, the first vintage, 2018, was officially released, immediately garnering significant attention from the global wine world.
Region
Unlike the classic pure gravelly soil of the main Lafite vineyard, the Anselm vineyard possesses terroir conditions extremely rare in the Pauillac region. Located near the Gironde estuary, perched on a gravelly ridge, the plot boasts excellent drainage. The soil contains a higher proportion of clay, which helps retain moisture, protecting the vines through dry seasons. The north-facing orientation of the vineyard creates a relatively cool microclimate, resulting in slower grape ripening and the accumulation of delicate fruit aromas and elegant acidity. This contributes to the wine's soft, fresh, and layered style, completely different from the rich and powerful classic character of the main Lafite.
Winemaking
Anseline is crafted entirely by the same technical team at Lafite in the Lafite cellars, adhering to traditional Bordeaux winemaking techniques and upholding a philosophy of minimal interference and preserving the terroir. After hand-harvesting, the grapes are fermented in tanks made of wood, concrete, and stainless steel. Through gentle pump-over and circulation, tannins and color are extracted tenderly, avoiding over-extraction that could result in a harsh taste. Maceration lasts approximately 20 days to retain the purest flavors of the fruit. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 16 months in new French oak barrels produced by a local cooperage in Pauillac, refining its texture and infusing it with woody aromas. Finally, it is bottled unfiltered or lightly filtered to best reflect the essence of the terroir.
Regarding the varietal blend, Anseline departs from Lafite's flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, instead using Merlot as its core variety, giving the wine a smooth and rounded base.
