Carruades de Lafite 2007

The second wine, the 2007 Carraudes de Lafite, is nearly equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with tiny dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. A sleeper of the vintage, it offers sexy, ripe berry fruit intermixed with hints of cedarwood, forest floor, and underbrush. This plump, corpulent, fruity effort reveals a velvety texture as well as a lush finish. Enjoy it over the next 8-10 years.

Fresh and juicy, with bright acidity and some solid tannins. Flavors of spice accompany an edge of green fruit. The aftertaste is tannins and wood.

Mid ruby. Quite a sludgy colour. Lots of acidity evident from the first sniff. Very light. Well polished with some reasonably firm tannins underneath. Mid weight of fruit. Lightly chewy on the end. Rather astringent finish. A bit dull and lacking life but by no means one of the softest northern Médocs. (JR)

Medium red-ruby. Currant, cherry and licorice aromas complicated by cooler notes of tobacco leaf, menthol and fresh herbs. The palate offers limited sweetness, with the distinctly green element giving the wine a slightly tart impression. Offers only modest density and length, but I liked its almost sangiovese-like floral quality.

Rather dark garnet color with a purple rim. Reserved bouquet, showing fine depth with notes of black plum skin and truffle nuances. On the palate, fleshy and refined, with plenty of dark-toned flavors; the Cabernet comes across a little cool and reserved, yet the tannins are quite fine.

Rather dark garnet colour with a purple rim. Restrained bouquet, showing lovely depth with notes of black plum skins and truffle. On the palate, fleshy and refined, with plenty of dark-toned aromas. The Cabernet comes across a little cool and reserved, but the tannins are quite fine.

Lovely finesse. The wine shows a very fine brilliance and real structural finesse, with well-integrated tannins. Its minerality leads the way and gives it a good length. (Feb. 2011)

Deep, intense red color. Fruity, fresh, ripe nose. The palate is supple, very juicy on the attack, unfolding into a silky texture and particularly flavorful. The wine shows no harshness. It finishes on a smooth, melting finish. A particularly seductive whole. Blend: 49.3% cabernet sauvignon, 44.5% merlot, 4.5% cabernet franc, 1.7% petit verdot.