Carruades de Lafite 2010

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest mostly Merlot and a dollop of Cabernet Franc, the beautiful 2010 Carruades de Lafite may turn out to be one of the finest yet produced (although I still have a weakness for the brilliant 2003, which is drinking beautifully at present). Notes of charcoal, black currants, sweet cherries, licorice, herbs and cedar are all present in this full-bodied, opulent, stunning second wine. It will be drinkable upon release and should last for 20 or more years.

robert_parker90

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42.5% Merlot, 2.4% Petit Verdot and 5.1% Cabernet Franc, the Carruades has moderate intensity on the nose with scents of blackberry leaf, briary, a touch of cedar and some tobacco notes. The palate is a little disjointed at the moment, the tannins accentuated and a little aggressive at first, some pleasant mulberry and dark plum/cedar accents towards the finish but missing the harmony that anticipated. Tasted March 2011.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The Carruades is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42.5% Merlot, 2.4% Petit Verdot and 5.1% Cabernet Franc. It has a well-defined bouquet, blackberry, graphite, sous-bois and pleasant floral notes. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a juicy core of ebullient black cherry fruit and trademark graphite notes towards the long, persistent finish. This is certainly a very high quality Carruades. Tasted November 2012.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Another brilliant second wine, the 2010 Carruades de Lafite (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42.5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot) is elegant and amazing for a second wine from Lafite. “Carruades de Lafite” is now engraved in the bottle to prevent unscrupulous sommeliers and merchants from trying to pass it off as Lafite Rothschild. The wine displays much of the same lead pencil, charcoal and black currant notes of its bigger sister, although it is forward, precocious and far less structured than the grand vin. Nevertheless, this wine, which can be drunk now, will cellar beautifully for at least 20-25 more years.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Carruades de Lafite charges out of the gate with bold scents of baked plums and boysenberries followed by hints of menthol, tobacco leaf, cloves and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers a well-poised frame of ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness supporting the savory flavors, finishing with a spicy kick.

vinous90

Reviewed by: Ian d'Agata

(50% cabernet sauvignon, 42.5% merlot, 5.1% cabernet franc and 2.4% petit verdot) Deep ruby-purple. Highly perfumed, enticing nose offers spicy blackcurrant, violet and minerals. Fresh and sweet in the mouth, with almost syrupy blackberry, plum and saline flavors showing plenty of flesh without any undue heaviness. Nice floral persistence on the slightly simple, sweet, very accessible finish. Though the tannins are youthfully chewy, there is none of the astringency displayed by many merlot-rich 2010 wines. When I mentioned to technical director Charles Chevalier that I loved this wine's dainty, smooth personality, he pointed out that most of the grapes used to make Carruades come from vines planted on soils with a higher percentage of clay, which partly explains why this merlot-rich wine doesn't show astringent tannins.

vinous89

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2010 Carruades de Lafite has a generous bouquet with “playful” red berry fruit, liquorice and cassis. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins, plush and rounded in texture. It just comes across a little blocky on the finish when I am seeking more tension and delineation. This bottle questions the longevity of this Second label. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting.

vinous90

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Deep ruby. Perfumed aromas of cassis, violet and graphite minerality. Pure, very fresh dark berry and mineral flavors carry through the long, refined, almost dainty finish. The tannins are impressively silky for a second wine, but this nonetheless shows a hint of astringency at the back, which may be resolved with time in bottle.

vinous89

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2010 Carruades de Lafite has a generous bouquet with “playful” red berry fruit, liquorice and cassis. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins, plush and rounded in texture. It just comes across a little blocky on the finish when I am seeking more tension and delineation. This bottle questions the longevity of this Second label. Tasted from an ex-château bottle at the BI Wines & Spirits 10-Year On tasting.

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Carruades de Lafite charges out of the gate with bold scents of baked plums and boysenberries followed by hints of menthol, tobacco leaf, cloves and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers a well-poised frame of ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness supporting the savory flavors, finishing with a spicy kick.