Incredible smoke, currants and blackberries. Spices too. Full bodied, with ultra-polished tannins and blackberries, blueberries and minerals. Orange peel too. Best Carraudes ever. jamessuckling.com
James SucklingScore: 95-96/100
With a diminished crop a splendid second wine has appeared, in which there is a perfect blend of fruit: plum and raspberry fruits underlie a subtle tannin which is not too heavy. It will be enjoyable before 2020.
Ivor DaviesScore: 18/20
Remarkably tight, offering black currant and sanguine notes laced with sandalwood and roasted fig. This is also tight-grained on the finish and is really long, with the acidity just going on and on. Only 10 percent new oak. Tasted non-blind. James Molseworth, winespectator.com
Wine SpectatorScore: 93-96/100
The deep ruby purple 2010 Carruades de Lafite offers aromas of violets, plums, blackberries, with a hint of cedar, supported by nice mid palate fruit flavours balanced by velvety tannins and a fairly long finish. This Carruades is made in a full-bodied, rich, very tannic style with such density and depth that it seems more like a grand vin than a second wine. The selection was done after the malolactic from about 50 parcels, and the result is a gorgeous wine that stands on its own. asianpalate.com
Jeannie Cho Lee MWScore: 93-95/100
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. Feb 2013, www.robertparker.com
Robert ParkerScore: 94/100
Just a bit on the severe side now but the underlying fruit is excellent. Very fine and noble with terrific length and elegance. Top class this year
FINE+RAREScore: 17.5/20
Fine fragrance and elegance over layers of complexity, perfect harmony, Pauillac at its most refined. Drink 2016-26. Steven Spurrier, decanter.com
DecanterScore: 17.5/20
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. Mid crimson without great colour intensity. Very savoury and glossy. Immediate polish on the nose here. Raspberries and tar. Great intensity and fluidity. Really this is SO much better than it used to be. Very fine wine by any measure. Bone dry. Minerals and chew on the end but no rustic tannins. Very fine and long. It is admirable that Charles Chevalier puts so much effort into this wine which, although admittedly it is expensive, could be sold several times over in China whatever it tasted like. jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MWScore: 17.5/20
Carruades de Lafite With cedar, earth, forest floor scents, this medium bodied wine offers cassis, cranberry and bright spicy flavors.winecellarinsider.com
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar InsiderScore: 88-90/100
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. Neal Martin erobertparker.com
Neal MartinScore: 88-90/100
Bordeaux / France