Carruades de Lafite 2002

Characteristics and tasting tips for Carruades de Lafite 2002

Tasting

Colour
The wine displays a deep red colour with an opaque core, accented by a slight lightening at the rim, a sign of its graceful evolution.

Nose
The bouquet opens with the estate's classic signature of pencil lead, graphite and cedar. It then reveals great complexity, blending aromas of ripe black fruit such as blackcurrant, blackberry and plum with evolved tertiary notes of forest floor, leather and subtle peppery spice.

Palate
Elegant and medium-bodied, the palate offers a soft, fleshy attack. It is supported by lively acidity and supple, silky tannins. Highly approachable and focused on finesse, the wine carries through to a harmonious finish.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs beautifully with fine meats such as a roast rack of lamb, a grilled rib-eye steak or a beef fillet. It also goes very well with light game, duck breast or mushroom dishes, provided the sauces are kept light so as not to mask the wine's delicacy.

A Pauillac wine combining elegance and aromatic complexity

The estate

Located in France's renowned Bordeaux region, Château Lafite-Rothschild is an icon whose winemaking history dates back to the 13th century. The modern estate, however, was founded in 1868, when it was acquired by Baron James de Rothschild. Classified as a Premier Grand Cru in 1855, the property covers around 178 hectares. Today, the estate is run by Saskia de Rothschild, who is carrying on the family legacy while leading the vineyard through an ambitious ecological transition. The château is renowned worldwide for wines of great finesse.

The vineyard

The 112- to 116-hectare vineyard lies in the commune of Pauillac. It is divided into three main areas: the slopes surrounding the château, a plot in Saint-Estèphe, and the famous Carruades plateau to the west, which gives this second wine its name. The vines flourish on exceptional terroirs of fine, deep gravel mixed with wind-blown sand over limestone bedrock. The estate, currently converting to organic farming, draws notably on grapes from its young vines to craft this cuvée.

The vintage

2002 is recognised as a classic-style vintage. Without reaching the opulence of the hottest years, the weather conditions produced grapes with a balanced profile, showing lovely freshness and moderate concentration.

Vinification and ageing

Carruades de Lafite 2002 is vinified plot by plot in wooden and stainless steel vats in order to preserve the identity of each lot. The wine was then aged for 18 to 20 months in oak barrels previously used for the grand vin the year before, allowing for a subtle, harmonious integration of the oak.

Grape varieties

This blend stands out for its significant proportion of Merlot, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.