2012 Carruades de Lafite
By Chateau Lafite Rothschild
2012 Carruades de Lafite from Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, Bordeaux
The distillation of aristocratic finesse, the 2012 Carruades de Lafite holds a place among the pantheon of Bordeaux blends that speak vociferously of their origin. This vintage stands as a testament to the resolve of Château Lafite Rothschild's exacting standards, even in a year that posed climatic challenges to the Pauillac appellation.
Eloquent Expression of Terroir and Time
The 2012 growing season did not promise an easy journey. Indeed, it placed demands on vignerons that only the most adroit could navigate successfully. The spring was fraught with dampness, leading to a late flowering and fears of a compromised harvest. Yet, autumn brought reprieve and renewed hope as the skies cleared and grapes reached maturity under ideal conditions. It is this transition from peril to triumph that the 2012 Carruades de Lafite embodies with poise.
An Insight into 2012 Through the Lens of Carruades
On the palate, this vintage introduces itself with reserved charm before unfurling layers of complexity - a mosaic of cassis, lightly toasted cedar, and graphite. There is a subtlety here, one that whispers of the understated power we so often associate with the great wines of Pauillac. It boasts an elegance that belies the challenging vintage conditions, proving once again why Château Lafite Rothschild's commitment to precision viticulture and winemaking is unmatched.
The tannins are finely etched, akin to delicate lacework enveloping ripe black fruit - meticulously structured and promising excellent aging potential that astute wine investors seek. As ever with Carruades de Lafite, there is significant investment intrigue surrounding any opportunity to hold such liquid heritage within one's portfolio.
In summing up the allure of the 2012 Carruades de Lafite from Chateau Lafite Rothschild; it is undoubtedly a compelling compendium of Pauillac nobility. Although emerging from an antagonist vintage, it transcends expectations and offers a narrative imbued with resilience and sophistication. The agility with which this wine encapsulates its year of birth qualifies it as an enlightened selection for connoisseurs and investors alike.
Market price (HKD)
HK$19,570.00
12x75cl
Highest score
89
POP score
227.78
Scores and tasting notes
Delicate and fruity with fine tannins and a fresh acidity. Medium body, simple finish.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com, April 21st 2013
A very good second wine from Lafite Rothschild, the 2012 Carruades de Lafite (53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) shows dark ruby/plum/purple color, cedar wood, blackcurrants, medium-bodied, ripe tannin and a nice textured mouthfeel. It is very attractive, soft and ideal for drinking over the next 15 or more years.
Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 29 April 2015
Tasted en primeur at the chateau. The Carruades de Rothschild 2012 is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. It has a very light for nose for Carruades with brambly red fruit and gravel scents. It is a light Carraudes, perhaps missing a little weight in the mid-palate, with a satisfactory, classic finish that tails away a little too quickly. Tasted April 2013.
Neal Martin - Wine Journal May 2013