Chateau Lafite Rothschild 'Carruades de Lafite' Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classé (Minimum order: 6 bottle case) FUTURES 2025 Pre-Arrival
Second label of Chateau Lafite Rothschild. Initially called Moulin des Carruades.
Carruades de Lafite 2025 is the second wine of Château Lafite Rothschild, offering a refined and highly desirable Pauillac expression with the elegance, precision and pedigree associated with one of Bordeaux’s most iconic estates. It is an exceptional release for buyers seeking the Lafite style in a more approachable yet still deeply premium format.
Critic tasting notes: (2025 vintage)
"Dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, delicate edge brightening. Nuances of heart cherries, fine blackberry confit, orange zest, subtle herbal spice, mineral undertones. Juicy, red cherries, delicate hints of currants, fine tannins, salty finish, delicate and persistent, a seductive food companion." - Falstaff (96/100)
"A tight and linear red with red currant, sweet tobacco and cedar aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, fine and creamy tannins. Bright finish. Extremely fine texture for the second wine of Lafite. Typical character of Carruades. A blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot, 9% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot." - James Suckling (95-96/100)
"Licorice, black currants, flowers, blackberries, plums, cocoa and leafy tobacco nuances create the perfume. The palate is even better with its vivid display of fresh, juicy, crisp, red, with black fruits paired with a fine line of tannins down the middle giving you grace, character, and refined freshness. The elegant palate is fresh, lively, clean, and pure, so you taste, and feel the power, as well as the vitality of the vintage. One of the most important points in the growing season were that from early June, to July 10, climatically it was hot and dry. The mid-summer rains following those dates provided much needed nourishment, along with the rains that fell July 22 became a good part of the success of the vintage. The wine is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc. 12.5% ABV. Picking took place September 2 - September 20. Yields were low at 27 hectoliters per hectare. Drink from 2029-2050." - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (94/100)
Site & Identity
Drawn from carefully selected parcels within the Lafite-Rothschild holdings, Carruades captures a more generous and accessible expression of the estate while preserving the graphite, cassis and cedar signature that define Pauillac at its best. The 2025 vintage should be framed as a polished and terroir-driven wine with classical proportions, excellent freshness and the ability to age gracefully. For collectors and Bordeaux enthusiasts, it offers a compelling entry point into the Lafite universe.
Technical Tasting Note
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Appearance: Deep ruby with a bright core and violet reflections.
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Nose: Blackcurrant, blackberry, cedar, violet, pencil shavings and fine gravelly mineral notes.
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Palate: Medium to full-bodied, with supple yet structured tannins, pure dark fruit and a refined, polished texture.
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Finish: Long, balanced and elegant, with a cool mineral line and lingering cassis and spice.
Winemaking & Style
Carruades de Lafite is typically crafted to reflect the estate’s signature refinement while showing a touch more immediate charm and fruit generosity than the grand vin. In 2025, the wine should be positioned as precise, harmonious and classically Pauillac, with a polished frame and strong aging potential for a second wine. It is ideal for customers who want the Lafite name, style and prestige in a wine that can be enjoyed earlier than the first wine.
Food Pairing
Excellent with roast lamb, duck breast, beef fillet, veal, mushroom dishes and mature cheeses. It also works beautifully as a cellar-worthy wine for future special occasions.
