Lafite's second wine, the 2021 Carraudes De Lafite should be solid, offering lots of pure cassis and graphite aromatics as well as medium-bodied richness on the palate. Based on 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it shines for its elegant, seamless profile and it has a little of that Lafite power-without-weight style.
Jeb Dunnuck (June 2022)Score: 89-91/371
The 2021 Carruades de Lafite is a dark, brooding wine. Dense and plush, with quite a bit of tannin presence, Carruades is quite distinctive in 2021. Blue/purplish fruit and floral notes show tremendous primary intensity. Bright acids on the finish add an attractive sense of freshness that is quite appealing. The 2021 is a serious Carruades.
Antonio Galloni, Vinous (May 2022)Score: 91-93/100Drink 2026-2041
Tobacco leaf, wet forest floor, leafy herbs, cedar and red currants create the perfume. On the palate, the wine exudes freshness, elegance, crisp, bright, sweet, energetic fruits and a finish with a touch of spice in the zesty endnote. This wine was made from a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot , 5% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot.
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider (May 2022)Score: 91-93/100Drink 2025-2042
The 2021 Carruades de Lafite is a classic blend built around 55% Cabernet Sauvignon. Eric Kohler commended the quality of the Cabernet Franc this year, which after being considered for the Grand Vin, in the end found itself being blended into the Deuxième Vin. This year it represents 40% of the total volume. It has a fragrant bouquet with blackberry, briar, pencil shavings and a touch of black olive. Fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly grainy tannins. Quite an insistent grip here with plenty of sapidity towards the finish. A bit of chewiness on the close, but overall, a very decent Carruades.
Neal Martin, Vinous (May 2022)Score: 89-91/100Drink 2026-2042
The 2021 Carruades de Lafite is composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it gives up notes of red and black cherries, cassis, and underbrush with hints of bay leaves and lilacs. Light bodied, the palate has loads of mineral and herbal sparks accenting the red and black fruit layers with plenty of tension and soft tannins, finishing with a skip in its step.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent (May 2022)Score: 88-90+/100Drink 2026-2042
Sweet black cherries and plums on the nose with blackcurrant leaf touches. Excellent intensity and vibrancy here, you really feel the energy - acidity is good but you get the rush of fruits and the persistence that says; 'I've got so much life in me and I want to show it off' - this is ready and raring to go! It's well worked with fine tannins and a long finish. The power and structure is there - it's just super explosive at this point. You almost want to enjoy this now, or certainly soon, but it'll go the distance too. Punchy with a joyous spirit! 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend.
Georgie Hindle, Decanter (April 2022)Score: 92/100Drink 2025-2039
A strong effort that demonstrates how much progress this bottling has made over the last 10 to 15 years, the 2021 Carruades de Lafite exhibits aromas of sweet berries, pencil shavings, warm spices and nicely integrated oak. Medium to full-bodied, deep and impressively intense, it's seamless and refined, delivering plenty of Lafite character.
William Kelley, Wine Advocate (April 2022)Score: 90-92/100
A ton of concentration and hidden power, this is a Carruades that is very Lafite in style, subtle with pencil lead, slate, Pauillac signature, intense but with clear austerity, touches of fennel, rosebud and dried leaf. Mouthwatering, with plenty to get hold of. Has the focus and tunnel vision of Lafite and needs time in bottle, should be at its peak within 10 to 15 years. 1st year organic conversion. 40% of overall production, 34hl/h yields.
Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux (April 2022)Score: 91/100Drink 2025-2038
Bordeaux / France
En Primeur
2025-2042