Guy Collins
Bordeaux Wine Insight
The Fine Wine Market for Bordeaux and Beyond
Overview
Appellation
Pauillac
Classification
Premier Grand Cru Classe (first growth) 1855
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Owner
Les Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite)
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Vineyard Area
112 hectares (277 acres)
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Planted Grapes
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot 2%
Contact
Chateau Lafite Rotschild has been owned by the Barons de Rothschild since its purchase on Aug. 8, 1868 by Baron James de Rothschild, according to the Domaines Barons de Rothschild website lafite.com.
The estate had been put up for sale following the death of Aime-Eugene Vanlerberghe, its previous owner, whose mother Madame Barbe-Rosalie Lemaire had acquired it in 1818. It is currently under the stewardship of Baron Eric de Rothschild, who took it on from his uncle Elie de Rothschild.
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The Pauillac vineyard extends over 112 hectares (277 acres). It lies at the northern end of Pauillac and is a close neighbour of Chateau Mouton Rothschild and Chateau Cos d'Estournel.
Its second wine is Carruades de Lafite and the same winemaking team are also responsible for neighboring Chateau Duhart Milon, a fourth-growth estate under the same ownership.
Vineyard
Estate Structure
Three main areas, comprising slopes surrounding the chateau, the Carruades plateau to the west, and 4.5 hectares (11 acres) in neighboring Saint Estephe.
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Average Age of Vines
39 years
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Soil
The vineyard is made up of deep gravel, combined with aeolian sand on tertiary limestone. It has both good drainage and exposure to sunshine.
Location
On the northern end of the Pauillac appellation, just north of the port of Pauillac and close to the Gironde estuary, although on the western side of the D2 road.
Winery
Fermentation
Fermentation takes place in two vat rooms, one with traditional large oak vats and the other with temperature-controled stainless steel vats. There is also a dedicated Merlot vat room with concrete tanks ranging from 50 to 125 hectoliters.
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Maturation
Aging in barrels from the estate's own cooperage, for 18 to 20 months. Fining with eggwhites.
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Second Wine
Carruades de Lafite