Carruades de Lafite 2017

Professional Ratings

• 94 James Suckling

  So much rich, sweet tobacco with currants and spices, as well as graphite. Full-bodied, tight and focused with oyster-shell and lead-pencil character on the palate. Tangy, spicy and peppery. Needs three to four years to soften, but already beautiful.

• 93 Wine Enthusiast
  A classic blend with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot, this is richly structured and well concentrated. Its dark black fruit notes give both depth and a juicy character to match the structure.
  Barrel Sample: 91-93
• 91 Jeb Dunnuck

  Brought up in just 20% new oak, the 2017 Carruades De Lafite checks in as 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and a splash of Cabernet Franc. It has that classic Lafite-like elegance and lead pencil character as well as ripe red currants and tobacco notes, medium body, a rounded, seamless texture, and present yet ripe tannins. It's a charming, elegant second wine that will evolve for 15-20 years.

• 91 Decanter
  Lafite got to enjoy a year without excess and without frost, and this is elegant stuff. The tannins are a touch rigid at the beginning, supporting firm black autumnal fruits, classically framed and a touch austere, with cigar box smoke adding a swirl of complexity. As with many of the second wines in Pauillac this year, this is excellently put together but on the savoury side, reflecting the story of the vintage. 20% new oak. This is sure to age well and be ready to drink within four to eight years.
  Barrel Sample
• 91 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

  The 2017 Carruades de Lafite is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it prances out of the glass with joyful notions of black cherries, redcurrant jelly and cassis plus hints of kirsch, cedar chest, pencil lead and a waft of raspberry leaves. Medium-bodied, the palate possesses bags of poise and freshness, dishing out lots of bright red and black fruits with a soft, finely grained frame, finishing long with a skip in its step.