The second wine, which has soared in quality over the last decade, is an outstanding effort displaying a character similar to that of Lafite, without the size, depth, and aging potential of that wine. The 2006 Carruades de Lafite offers up aromas of graphite, cedar, black currants, sweet cherries, and smoky herbs. This complex, more evolved, medium-bodied, silky-textured, sexy offering will provide plenty of pleasure over the next 15+ years.

Tasted at the IMW Lafite seminar in London. The 2006 Carruades has a well defined, fresh but not complex bouquet with a more red fruit profile that black. It has attractive forest floor aromas, a touch of cedar and crushed flower, adopting an almost Pomerol-like bouquet. The palate is well balanced with a supple entry. It has good acidity and seems quite approachable considering its youth with fine minerality on the ferrous finish. Tasted February 2012.

Raspberry and black licorice on the nose, with a hint of tar. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a medium finish. A little tight and one-dimensional now, but very good. James Suckling