Carruades de Lafite 2006

The second wine, which has soared in quality over the last decade, is an outstanding effort displaying a character similar to that of Lafite, without the size, depth, and aging potential of that wine. The 2006 Carruades de Lafite offers up aromas of graphite, cedar, black currants, sweet cherries, and smoky herbs. This complex, more evolved, medium-bodied, silky-textured, sexy offering will provide plenty of pleasure over the next 15+ years.

Raspberry and black licorice on the nose, with a hint of tar. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a medium finish. A little tight and one-dimensional now, but very good. Best after 2012. 27,580 cases made.

Smudgy rim. Jagged, embryonic nose. Smooth and polished but without much real spark. As though it has gone through too many committees. (JR)

Very deep garnet with a ruby-purple rim. On the nose, prune, dark malt hints suggesting a certain sweetness, rock candy, tar notes, surprisingly deep, dried black trumpet mushrooms. Surprisingly refined on the palate, with extract wrapped in a lovely melt-in texture; the astringency initially comes across as quite fine, then turns into firm, peppery tannins on the finish, binding with the extract. The finale currently shows a touch of bitterness; more of a food wine, and always remaining slightly dry.

Very deep garnet with a ruby-purple rim. Prunes on the nose, dark malt notes that bring a certain sweetness, rock candy, tar notes, surprisingly deep, dried black trumpets. Surprisingly fine on the palate: the extract is wrapped in a lovely creamy texture, so the astringency initially feels quite refined; on the finish, firmer, peppery tannins appear and connect with the extract, showing a certain bitterness at the moment. It will remain more of a food wine and always slightly dry. 09: drank easily and was served to me blind in Viareggio at Restaurant Henri. Bordeaux was obvious—no great one—and that was obvious too. But when I saw the label and thought about what this second wine is currently going for, I couldn’t help but shake my head a bit.

Fruity, light, sweet bouquet with black berries, dried fruits and black cherries. Fruity, medium-bodied, slightly austere palate with moderate fruit, plenty of tannin and sweet aromatics. Dry, medium-length finish with a delicate sweetness. 16/20 2011 - 2020

Beautiful colour. Fruity, ripe, fresh nose. The wine shows ripe flavours and well-extracted tannins. Smooth and pleasant on the palate, it finishes with a medium-length finish. Only the aromatic expression struck me as a little restrained. Ageing will tell the rest.