The 2002 Lafite-Rothschild is surprisingly dark in colour. It also has a surprisingly concentrated bouquet with blackberry, sous-bois and brine. Hints of steaming cups of espresso percolate through with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a little chewiness on the entry. Quite briny and saline, a little rustic in terms of tannic profile and perhaps only on the finish does the limitations of the growing season show. Tasted at the château.

Similar to its bigger sibling, but leaner and not nearly as concentrated, as one might expect being a second wine, the 2002 Carruades reveals the Lafite fragrance of lead pencil shavings intermixed with red and black currants, plums, and a hint of cherries. Medium-bodied, with tart acidity, this is a wine to drink over the next decade.
-Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #158 Apr 2005

(88-89 pts)
No tasting note given.
-Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #149 Oct 2003

Similar to its bigger sibling, but leaner and not nearly as concentrated, as one might expect being a second wine, the 2002 Carruades reveals the Lafite fragrance of lead pencil shavings intermixed with red and black currants, plums, and a hint of cherries. Medium-bodied, with tart acidity, this is a wine to drink over the next decade.

Very deep crimson and lots of acidity. Great suppleness (good) but a bit hollow (bad). The least impressive of the top-growth second wines. I suspect acidity will always plague this blend of 51 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon and 46 per cent Merlot which represents almost a third of the total crop at Lafite. (JR)