Chateau Lafite Rothschild - Carruades de Lafite 2018

JAMES SUCKLING: "Exquisitely fine tannins to the currant, lead-pencil and chocolate character. The palate is full, yet very refined and linear with a long, lingering finish. Such polish and tension. The tannins are intense, yet so fine, giving almost a powdery texture. So Lafite-like. Best Carruades ever? 56% cabernet sauvignon and 38% merlot, the rest cabernet franc. Drink after 2026."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2018 Carruades de Lafite is a blend of 56.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 5.5% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes skipping out of the glass with bright, cheery scents of redcurrant jelly, blackcurrant pastilles and Morello cherries with hints of candied violets, pencil shavings, menthol and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied and elegantly styled, with layers of crunchy red and black fruits, it has a beautifully ripe, fine-grained texture and loads of freshness, finishing long and mineral laced."

JEB DUNNUCK: "While a lot of estates' second wines can have a distinctly different style than their Grand Vins, that's not the case with Lafite. Their 2018 Carraudes De Lafite has a beautiful Lafite-like elegance and sense of nuance that's always present in the Grand Vin. Based on 56.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, its ruby/purple-tinged hue is followed by a beautiful nose of cassis, lead pencil, black cherries, tobacco leaf, and forest floor. With medium to full-bodied richness, it has a layered, elegant mouthfeel, ripe yet present tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This juicy, textured, balanced 2018 can be drunk today or cellared for 15-20 years or more."

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, violette Reflexe, zarter Wasserrand. Feine Nuancen nach reifen schwarzen Beeren, ein Hauch von Feigen, zarte Nougatnote. Saftige Kirschfrucht, elegant, feine rotbeerige Nuancen, präsente Tannine, lebendig, mineralisch und lange anhaftend."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "The second wine of Lafite Rothschild is itself grand. Dense tannins allied to the juicy fruits are the starting point for controlled richness, tight freshness, a powerful structure and considerable potential. Drink from 2027."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Seductive, with mulled plum and black cherry fruit that is infused with dark tea, singed cedar and bay notes. Iron note nicely imbedded through the finish, which has a subtle tug of earth. Very restrained in feel, but with some seriously sneaky length. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2038."

DECANTER: "An understated and enjoyable Carruades, which has that sense of Lafite effortlessness, with a mouthwatering finish. Dark spice and great balance, where you see the beginnings of acidity, tannin and fruits but you don't see their end as they meld into each other. Savoury Cabernet fruits abound. This is hugely elegant, with smoky notes that come out more obviously as the wine opens up. Drinking Window 2024 - 2038"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Even with all the Merlot in the blend, there is a clear family resemblance with this baby Lafite. Soft, elegant and refined, texturally the wine is pure silk. There is good energy and purity to the fruit with loads of sweet, fresh, ripe cherries and kirsch in the finish. The wine was made from blending 56.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 5.5% Cabernet Franc."

WEINWISSER: "56,5 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 38 % Merlot, 5,5 % Cabernet Franc. Sattes Granat mit dichter Mitte und aufhellendem Rand. Zartes Kirschbouquet, dahinter feine Kräuterwürze aufsteigend. Am fleischigen Gaumen mit straffem und sehnigem Körper. Im fein aromatischen Finale rote Beeren, Rosenholz und heller Tabak."