| Producer |
Chateau Lafite Rothschild
: In the farthest northern corner of Pauillac, a stone’s throw from the appellation of Saint Estephe, resides a wine estate of great renown, with exceptional terroir and a truly magical allure. Its superb qualities have been written about for centuries, portrayed in modern day films and has been considered the greatest wine on earth by wine professionals and enthusiasts alike. Truly, the world of wine would not be what it is today without the existence of one of the greatest estates in the world: Chateau Lafite Rothschild wines are simply paramount.
Hailing from the greatest appellation (Pauillac) in the most respected and important (arguably) region in the world, Bordeaux; Lafite has been a symbol of excellence since its inception. Over the course of its very long, rich and interesting history, Chateau Lafite has become one of the most successful, admired and sought after wines in the world. Its prominence is known the world over; however, an estate does not reach the apex overnight.
The legend of Lafite dates back to the year 1234, with the first mention of Gombaud de Lafite, abbot of the Vertheuil Monastery and feudal lord of the eponymous fief, Lafite (meaning “hillock” in the Gascon language). At the time of the Lafite fiefdom, most of the property was used for harvesting grain and crops for cattle. When the Segur family acquired the property in the 17th Century, it is most likely had existing grape vineyards. However, Jacques de Segur is credited with the planting of the first Lafite vineyards in the 1670s, organizing the vineyards and earning the estate a great reputation by the late 1690s. Jacques de Segur’s heir Alexandre, married the heiress of Chateau Latour, who gave birth to Nicolas-Alexandre de Segur, thus joining the two fiefs (chateaux) and beginning their histories together.
Chateau Lafite’s first market appearance occurred in the official London Gazette in 1707, where it was being sold at public auction, after being seized by British corsairs, as well as the British Royal Navy. The wine and its counterparts were described as “New French Clarets”. Afterward, the Prime Minister of Britain, purchased a barrel of Lafite every three months. This affair, only propelled the legend of Lafite only further.
Nicolas-Alexandre had consolidated Lafite’s initial success, improving winemaking techniques and above all, enhancing the prestige of the wines in the foreign markets. He became known as “The Wine Prince” and Lafite’s wines, “The King of Wines”. It became the subject of much discussion at Versailles, honored as it was by the king’s high approval. By the time of his death, Nicolas-Alexandre had established a well-respected and world renowned estate. It was considered a “Premier Cru of Medoc” by 1797 and would later be classified as a First Growth in the Official Classification of 1855.
In 1868, the now coveted First Growth was purchased by Baron James de Rothschild, placing it in the hands of one of the most successful and influential families in Europe. Sadly, Baron James passed away just three months later, leaving the responsibility of the estate to his three sons. As was the custom of the day, the heirs changed the name to Chateau Lafite Rothschild. The estate has been handed down from generation to generation and remains in family hands to this day.
Today, Chateau Lafite Rothschild continues to command the attention of serious enthusiasts and collectors, producing one of the most collectible, investment grade wines in the world. Lafite currently has 112 hectares under vine and is planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. It is important to note that the final blend is almost always close to 90% Cabernet Sauvignon. Annual production ranges between 15,000 to 20,000 cases, depending on the vintage. Lafite produces an elegant style of Pauillac, which shows qualities of cedar, cassis, tobacco, truffle, lead pencil and spice along with the freshness and purity of dark red fruits. It is, perhaps, the most refined of the First Growths. Rather than a show of power, Lafite focuses on its width of flavors and aromatic nuances. The wine takes decades to mature and has remarkable staying powers.
Lafite is usually better after at least 15 years of bottle age and should reach its peak maturity between 15 and 60 years after the vintage. The 1982 Lafite is still considered a baby and will age gracefully until 2074; a truly remarkable feat that has allowed the estate to be recognized as one of the greatest investments in the world. A second wine is produced, Carruades de Lafite, taking its name from a specific section of their vineyard (Carruades Plateau) located near Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Due to its name and its association with the Grand Cru, it too has become extremely collectible. Carruades is one of the older second wines in Bordeaux, being first produced in the mid-1850s. A third wine is also produced and is sold as an AOC (Appellation of Origin Controlled) Pauillac that is produced from declassified fruit from both Lafite and Duhart Milon (also owned by the Rothschild family).
The largest of the Fifth Growth estates (Lafite) is located in the far north of the Pauillac appellation, with only the small Jalle de Breuil stream separating the vineyards from the St. Estephe appellation. Most of the soil is composed of deep gravel, mixed with Aeolian sand on a subsoil of tertiary limestone, well-drained and well-exposed to the sun. This exceptional terroir is a large part of the reason Lafite has such elegant, feminine textures and that coveted sensation of minerality.
Chateau Lafite Rothschild wines are undoubtedly some of the finest creations on earth. The estate has become the benchmark for wineries around the world. Much like the wines, the Lafite name will continue to live on, pushing the entire wine industry towards greatness, simply by example.
|
