Carruades de Lafite 2007

robert_parker89

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted blind at the 2007 Bordeaux horizontal in Southwold. The nose is rather disjointed at the moment with sulky dark fruits, sous-bois, dark cherries and boysenberry tinged with iodine. The palate has a sharp and slightly tinny entry with crisp acidity and attractive pure raspberry coulis and strawberry towards the long finish. This is a decent if rather foursquare Carruades just compromised by the aromatics. Tasted January 2011.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

This is quite woody on the nose, with a touch of burnt toast lacing the black fruits. Sous-bois characteristics becoming more evident with time. The palate is medium-bodied, very fine tannins, very harmonious with crisp blackberry, a touch of iodine and black cherries. The finish is incredibly smooth and seductive with more noticeable new oak than in previous vintages. To be honest, this is not that far below the Grand Vin this year. Tasted April 2008. 

robert_parker90

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The second wine, the 2007 Carraudes de Lafite, is nearly equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with tiny dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. A sleeper of the vintage, it offers sexy, ripe berry fruit intermixed with hints of cedarwood, forest floor, and underbrush. This plump, corpulent, fruity effort reveals a velvety texture as well as a lush finish. Enjoy it over the next 8-10 years.

robert_parker85

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Rated - No tasting note given.

vinous87

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Medium red-ruby. Currant, cherry and licorice aromas complicated by cooler notes of tobacco leaf, menthol and fresh herbs. The palate offers limited sweetness, with the distinctly green element giving the wine a slightly tart impression. Offers only modest density and length, but I liked its almost sangiovese-like floral quality.

vinous88

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

(49% cabernet sauvignon, 44% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot) Good red-ruby. Precise aromas of black fruits, licorice and minerals lifted by a violet topnote. Juicy, leanish and a bit tart; began youthfully sullen but opened with air to show more seductive cassis, licorice and graphite flavors and a hint of bitter chocolate. A tad dry but not hard. This will probably need three to five years of bottle aging.