The 2021 Lafite-Rothschild, which was aged in 90% new oak, has a deep, almost opaque hue. This has quite an arresting bouquet with dense blackberry, sous-bois and pencil box scents, quintessential Lafite aromas with nuanced floral scents surfacing with time. The palate is medium-bodied, though with more weight than you would expect given the growing season. The Cabernet Sauvignon imparts graphite and almost briny elements into the aromatic profile. Sapid and classic in style, head winemaker Eric Kohler suggests that it is a return to the style of Lafite-Rothschild of the nineties in terms of freshness. I concur.

Soft and attractive character to this wine, showing a polished-tannin frame and a juicy center-palate. Medium body with medium, velvety tannins. Juicy. 55% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot.
May 2022

Ripe, dark perfumed blackcurrant and black cherries on the nose. Fragrant but also herbal, liquorice, clove, tobacco and toast. Supple and juicy on the palate, a lovely sense of life and energy to this straight away. Gorgeous texture, full and expansive in the mouth with gently plush and crushed velveted tannins. Feels like a serious wine with a great fresh backbone of lively acidity, ripe fruit and structured tannins. I love the high acidity and sense of explosion you get here. Raspberry, red cherry and blackcurrant - so red and black fruits with tinges and hints of liquorice, cola and mint around the edges. Really nuanced but very approachable. Fun with clarity and precision. Such a clear palate. A lively baby brother.

This has taken on lovely depth over ageing, delivering on its promise, and these are classic slightly old school Pauillac flavours, focusing on crayon, slate, pencil lead, cassis bud, rose bud, has tension and subdued power. Highly successful. 1st year organic conversion. 40% of overall production, 34hl/h yields.

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

The 2021 Carruades de Lafite is mostly composed of the younger replacement vines dotted throughout Lafite's vineyards on the plateau, which are harvested separately. Offering up aromas of red berries, cassis, cedar box and orange rind, it's medium to full-bodied, lively and layered, with good concentration and a long, penetrating finish. It's a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, part of which was matured in wooden vats rather than barriques.

The 2021 Carruades De Lafite is beautiful, with some classic Lafite elegance in its medium-bodied aromas and flavors of red fruits, leather, dried flowers, and spicy wood. It has ultra-fine tannins, a soft, supple mouthfeel, and outstanding length. The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc.

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, May 2022

Red cherry fruits, nori, wet stone minerality. Quite good density on the palate, strong through the middle, quite rich cherry and plum fruits, nice dry stone minerality. Elegance through the finish. Classy.
April 2022

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, April 2022

Perfumed and floral with greater density than the Duhart just tasted. Broad on attack then firms up on the finish. Fine tannins and freshness but more of a medium-term wine. (JL) 12.8%
Drink 2027 – 2038
Jancisrobinson.com, May 2022