Carruades de Lafite 2018

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2018 Carruades de Lafite is a blend of 56.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 5.5% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes skipping out of the glass with bright, cheery scents of redcurrant jelly, blackcurrant pastilles and Morello cherries with hints of candied violets, pencil shavings, menthol and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied and elegantly styled, with layers of crunchy red and black fruits, it has a beautifully ripe, fine-grained texture and loads of freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.

James Suckling

Exquisitely fine tannins to the currant, lead-pencil and chocolate character. The palate is full, yet very refined and linear with a long, lingering finish. Such polish and tension. The tannins are intense, yet so fine, giving almost a powdery texture. So Lafite-like. Best Carruades ever? 56% cabernet sauvignon and 38% merlot, the rest cabernet franc. Drink after 2026.

Jeannie Cho Lee

Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

VertdeVin

The nose is elegant, finely tight and offers power (in control), a fine grain, complexity and power. It reveals notes of Boysen berry, fleshy/pulpy strawberry and small notes of Badiane associated with touches of violet, small bright berries, hot gravels (almost ioded) as well as fine hints of caramelization, zan, an imperceptible hint of clove and hazelnut. The palate is fresh, mineral, racy, beautifully defined and offers gourmandize, an acidulous frame, a beautiful energy, richness, power (full of finesse), a beautiful balance (almost a small aerial side), gourmandize as well as deepness and an almost iodine racy minerality. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy wild cassis, bright blackberryand small notes of raspberry associated with touches of bright violet plum, small black berries as well as hints of violet, lily, gravels, fine hints of caramelization, sugared mild tobacco, tonka bean, discreet hints of fresh vanilla pod and iode. Tannins are elegant, racy, plentiful, precise and structuring. A beautiful sapidity on the finish/persistence.

Falstaff

Deep dark ruby, opaque core, violet tints, delicate watery edge. Fine nuances of ripe black berries, a hint of figs, delicate nougat note. Juicy cherry fruit, elegant, fine red berry nuances, vivid tannins, lively, mineral and long lasting.

Wine Enthusiast

The second wine of Lafite Rothschild is itself grand. Dense tannins allied to the juicy fruits are the starting point for controlled richness, tight freshness, a powerful structure and considerable potential. Drink from 2027.