Carruades , one of the most sought-after wines every year has just been released. It is the second wine of Ch Lafite Rothschild, and has been released at £930.00 per 6x75cl, a price reduction of 19% on the 2022 vintage. It is one of the best recent vintages of Carruades and at this price it will be one of the top performers among the 2023’s you buy. Simply put -it is investment Gold Dust, largely due to its particularly strong following in the Asian market.
Carruades is in reality much more than you could ask of a second wine, with its own personality, yet made providing a glimpse of what makes Lafite the global success which it is. 2023 sees the inclusion of grapes from the ‘Caudeyrac’ plot, a prominent portion of the Lafite plateau, which has given Carruades a more Pauillac personality than ever before this year.
“A savory and juicy Carruades with softness and notes of ripe berry, cedar and dried tobacco. Like Lafite from the 1980s but more precise. Round and pretty. It really grows on the finish with such sweetness of fruit and length. Pointed, fine tannins at the end. Very long. A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon and 40% merlot.” 95-96 points, James Suckling
“Medium intensity ruby, fairly austere right now, structured, with the same mint leaf and ink quality as Lafite. The sweet brambled black fruits only come in through the mid palate, this is well paced, unrolls slowly, a serious and concentrated Carruades that has its eye on the future. 12% pres wine, harvest September 7 to 29, unusually only using Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend.” 94 points, Jane Anson
“The 2023 Carruades de Lafite is a very pretty, sensual wine that very much captures the personality of the Grand Vin, naturally in a more approachable style. The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, with no Franc or Petit Verdot. I have to say, there is something very direct about the 2023—something frank that is really evident. I admire its purity. Succulent red plum, spice, cedar, tobacco and a lifting touch of white pepper open first, while beautifully persistent saline undertones extend the finish.” 92-94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2023 Carruades de Lafite is deep garnet-purple in color. After a swirl or two, a beautiful perfume of rose oil and lavender is released, opening out to a classic core of cassis, fresh plums, and pencil lead with a touch of red, iron-rich soil. The light to medium-bodied palate is delicately styled, with compelling vibrancy and nice, ripe, fine-grained tannins supporting the black fruits, finishing long and fragrant. This is very pretty! The blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, with pH 3.70. The alcohol is 13.2%.” 92-94 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW
“The 2023 Carruades de Lafite is notable for some of the Cabernet being picked prior to the Merlot, between September 7 and 29. This year, there is no Cabernet Franc or Petit Verdot in the blend. It has a far superior bouquet to some of the vintages I was tasting a decade or so ago—much more purity and precision, with notes of black plum, wild strawberry and a touch of cassis. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky texture and a crisp line of acidity. It’s fresh, precise and saline, with a long tail on the finish. This is surely one of the best Carruades I have tasted at this stage.” 91-93 points, Neal Martin, Vinous
