Carruades de Lafite 2011 Pauillac 《Terroir Collection - ZTF948C》

Region : Pauillac

Grapes : 55% Cabernet Sauvignon，39% Merlot， 3.5% Cabernet Franc，2.5% Petit Verdot 

Alcohol : 12.5% vol

Website:  http://www.lafite.com/fr/chateau-lafite-rothschild/les-vins/carruades-de-lafite/

🏅 James Suckling 91-92 pts

🏅 Wine Enthusiast 91 pts

🏅 Wine Spectator 90 pts

🏅 Vivino 4.2

History

Situated in the wine-producing village of Pauillac in the Médoc region to the north-west of Bordeaux, the estate was the property of Gombaud de Lafite in 1234. In the 17th century, the property of Château Lafite was purchased by the Ségur family, including the 16th century manor house that still stands. Although vines almost certainly already existed on the site, around 1680, Jacques de Ségur planted the majority of the vineyard.

In the early 18th century, Nicolas-Alexandre, marquis de Ségur refined the wine-making techniques of the estate, and introduced his wines to the upper echelons of European society. Before long he was known as the "Wine Prince", and the wine of Chateau Lafite called "The King's Wine" thanks to the influential support of the Marechal de Richelieu. Towards the end of the 18th century, Lafite's reputation was assured and even Thomas Jefferson visited the estate and became a lifelong customer.

Following the French Revolution, the period known as Reign of Terror led to the execution of Nicolas Pierre de Pichard on 30 June 1794, bringing an end to the Ségur family's ownership of the estate which became public property. In 1797 the vineyards were sold to a group of Dutch merchants.

The first half of the 19th century saw Lafite in the hands of the Vanlerberghe family and the wine improved more, including the great vintages of 1795, 1798 and 1818. In 1868 the Château was purchased by Baron James Mayer Rothschild for 4.4 million francs, and the estate became Château Lafite Rothschild. Rothschild, however, died just three months after purchasing Lafite. The estate then became the joint property of his three sons: Alphonse, Gustave and Edmond Rothschild.

The 20th century has seen periods of success and difficulty, coping with post-phylloxera vines, and two world wars. During the Second World War the Chateau was occupied by the German army, and suffered heavily from plundering of its cellars. Succeeding his uncle Élie de Rothschild, Lafite has been under the direction of eric de Rothschild since 1974.

At the 5 December 1985 Christie's auction, a new record price of approximately US$156,000 was paid for a bottle of wine – a 1787 Château Lafite which was thought to be owned by Thomas Jefferson.[6][7][8][9][10][11] The authenticity of the bottle has been challenged. On 29 October 2010 the record was broken at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong – three bottles of 1869 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild were sold for HK$1.8M (US$232,692) each.

Vineyard

The vineyard is one of the largest in the Médoc at 107 hectares, and produces around 35,000 cases annually, of which between 15,000 and 25,000 are first growth. Its vines are around 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, whereas the final wine is between 80% and 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% and 20% Merlot, and up to 3% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Occasionally exceptions are made, such as the 1961 vintage which was 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

397 / 5,000

Second wine of Château Lafite Rothschild, Carruades de Lafite has characteristics close to the Grand Vin with its own personality linked to a higher proportion of Merlot and specific plots intended for the production of Carruades. The origin of the name comes from the "plateau des Carruades", place name of a set of plots adjoining the hilltop of the Château and acquired in 1845. 

TASTING NOTE:

Floral bouquet. Notes of ripe fruit, blackcurrants, cedar, and spices.A dense, rich wine with very refined, well-integrated tannins.Excellent length; overall, an elegant, balanced wine.

🏅 James Suckling 91-92 pts

A wine with sweet tobacco and coffee character. Full body, with velvety tannins and a medium finish. The Petit Verdot comes out here with spices and hints of fresh herbs. Blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot 3.5% Cabernet Franc, and 2.5% Petit Verdot.

🏅 Wine Enthusiast 91 pts

Firm and closed this is a dark and tannic wine, although black currant flavors are also very present. It feels austere with a mineral texture and concentrated final acidity.

🏅 Wine Spectator 90 pts

This has a slightly grainy feel, with cedar and ground vanilla bean notes leading to layers of plum, cherry compote and lightly mulled currant fruit. A strong tobacco accent fills in on the finish, revealing a cedary echo at the very end. Best from 2016 through 2026.