2010 Carruades de Lafite, Pauillac

“This smells like a bouquet of flowers with blueberries and currants and spices. Full body, yet agile and refined. So fine and pretty. It's balanced and in harmony. Savory. A smoky, decadent and meat undertone.” (11/2013)

“Another brilliant second wine, the 2010 Carruades de Lafite (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42.5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot) is elegant and amazing for a second wine from Lafite. 'Carruades de Lafite' is now engraved in the bottle to prevent unscrupulous sommeliers and merchants from trying to pass it off as Lafite Rothschild. The wine displays much of the same lead pencil, charcoal and black currant notes of its bigger sister, although it is forward, precocious and far less structured than the grand vin. Nevertheless, this wine, which can be drunk now, will cellar beautifully for at least 20-25 more years. (RP)” (02/2013)

“Solid, with bright cassis, fig and blackberry fruit studded with tobacco leaf, anise and violet. The long finish has a tarry thread, but stays polished and refined overall, with a whiff of sandalwood lingering gently. (JM)” (03/2013)

“A dense and very tannic second wine from Lafite-Rothschild. Ripe fruits from juicy Merlot balance its power and give sweetness. It's a rich, fine wine, with the tannins of the vintage never too prominent. (RV)” (05/2013)

“The 2010 Carruades de Lafite received much of the merlot planted on the estate this year, as more than forty-two percent of the blend is made up merlot in this vintage. Despite the extra dollop of merlot in the blend, the wine has turned out very well indeed in 2010, as it offers up a deep and classy nose of cassis, dark berries, coffee bean, Cuban cigars, soil and a gentle base of new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, suave and nicely reserved, with a lovely core of fruit, impressive focus and balance and lovely length and grip on the ripely tannic finish. This is less seductive in style than its 2009 counterpart and seems more classically structured. It will take a bit longer to provide pleasurable drinking, but to my palate this is a step up in ultimate quality from the 2009 Carruades. Impressive juice this year. (JG) 91+” (03/2011)

“Deep ruby. Perfumed aromas of cassis, violet and graphite minerality. Pure, very fresh dark berry and mineral flavors carry through the long, refined, almost dainty finish. The tannins are impressively silky for a second wine, but this nonetheless shows a hint of astringency at the back, which may be resolved with time in bottle. (ST)” (08/2013)