Chateau Lafite Rothschild

History of Château Lafite Rothschild

The history of Château Lafite Rothschild is a saga that spans almost eight centuries, beginning as early as 1234, when the estate, then dedicated to cereals and livestock, already bore the name of Gombaud de Lafite. It wasn't until the 17th century, under the impetus of Jacques de Ségur, that the vineyard began to take shape, laying the foundations for its renown. In 1695, Alexandre de Ségur, Jacques' heir, married the heiress of Château Latour, thus linking two of the Médoc's greatest names. From the 18th century onwards, Château Lafite wine attracted the attention of European courts, notably Versailles, where it was dubbed the "King's Wine" thanks to the support of the Maréchal de Richelieu, who described it as "the best tonic".

In 1855, at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, Château Lafite was named Premier des Premiers Crus, a distinction that confirmed its supremacy among Bordeaux wines. In 1868, Baron James de Rothschild acquired the estate, marking the beginning of the Rothschild era, which continues today through six generations. Despite the challenges of phylloxera, world wars and the Great Depression, the estate bounced back, notably under the direction of Baron Élie after 1945, then Baron Éric from 1974. Since 2018, Saskia de Rothschild, the first woman to head Domaines Barons de Rothschild, has continued this quest for excellence, integrating sustainable practices and a forward-looking vision. This rich history makes Château Lafite Rothschild a symbol of consistency and refinement, embodied by legendary vintages such as 1870, 1959, 1982, 2003, 2009 and 2016.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Lafite Rothschild 

The Château Lafite Rothschild vineyard extends over 112 hectares in the Pauillac appellation, some 40 km north of Bordeaux, on the left bank of the Gironde estuary. Divided into three main areas, the vineyard benefits from an exceptional terroir: the slopes surrounding the château, the Carruades plateau to the west, and a 4.5-hectare parcel in the neighboring commune of Saint-Estèphe, integrated thanks to a historic exemption. The deep, fine gravel soils, mixed with Aeolian sands and resting on a tertiary limestone subsoil, offer optimal drainage and ideal exposure, favoring perfect ripening of the grapes, especially the Cabernet Sauvignon.

The grape varieties grown are dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (70%), followed by Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (3%) and Petit Verdot (2%). The average age of the vines is 39 years, but those used for the Grand Vin Château Lafite Rothschild reach an average of 45 years, with historic parcels such as La Gravière, planted in 1886. Some vines, spared by phylloxera, are over 140 years old, testifying to the resilience of this unique terroir. Since 2017, the estate has embarked on a gradual conversion to organic farming, completed in 2024 for the Grand Vin vines, reinforcing its commitment to the preservation of this exceptional ecosystem, surrounded by 126 hectares of Natura 2002 classified marshland.

The Carruades plateau, the appellation's highest point, is characterized by clay-gravel soils, ideal for Merlot, while the gravelly slopes around the château favor the elegance and minerality of Cabernet Sauvignon. This diversity of soils, inherited from the alluvial deposits of the Pyrenees and Massif Central, enables Château Lafite Rothschild to produce wines of incomparable complexity and finesse, capable of withstanding the vagaries of the climate while fully expressing their terroir.

Winemaking at Château Lafite Rothschild

Vinification at Château Lafite Rothschild is a model of precision and tradition, designed to sublimate the potential of its unique terroir. Harvesting is carried out exclusively by hand, plot by plot, to respect the specific characteristics of each terroir and the degree of ripeness of the grapes. The grapes are sorted by hand on traditional tables, guaranteeing rigorous selection. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in 66 vats of varying sizes (from 45 to 270 hectolitres), combining wood, stainless steel and concrete, enabling vinification adapted to each grape variety and plot. Cabernet Sauvignon is vinified in wood and stainless steel vats, while Merlot ferments mainly in concrete tanks.

Maceration, which lasts an average of 22 days, is accompanied by light pumping-over to gently extract tannins and phenolic compounds. After alcoholic fermentation, the free-run and press juices are separated, and malolactic fermentation takes place in smaller stainless steel tanks (25 to 60 hectoliters). In 2010, the estate modernized its facilities with two new vats: one dedicated to Merlot, with concrete vats ranging from 50 to 125 hectoliters, and another for malolactic fermentation, with stainless steel vats ranging from 30 to 70 hectoliters. This parcel-based approach preserves the identity of each terroir right through to the final blend.

The wine is aged for 18 to 20 months in 100% new French oak barrels made by Tonnellerie des Domaines in Pauillac, guaranteeing a subtle, perfectly integrated woodiness. Each barrel is individually tasted to select the best cuvées for the Grand Vin Château Lafite Rothschild. The wine is clarified with 4 to 6 egg whites per barrel, a traditional technique that captures suspended particles. The circular winery, designed by architect Ricardo Bofill and inaugurated in 1987, can accommodate up to 2,200 barrels, providing a majestic setting for the maturing of the wine. This meticulous, artisanal approach gives Lafite Rothschild wines their unique signature: timeless elegance and exceptional aromatic complexity.

The wines of Château Lafite Rothschild

Château Lafite Rothschild - Le Grand Vin

The Grand Vin Château Lafite Rothschild is the emblem of the estate, a wine of legendary elegance and longevity, considered to be one of the finest in the Médoc. Mainly made from Cabernet Sauvignon (80-95%), complemented by Merlot (5-20%), and sometimes a touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this wine comes from the oldest vines (over 10 years, with an average age of 45 years). Its deep red color reveals a complex nose of fresh red and black fruits, cedar, graphite and toasty notes. On the palate, it offers a silky texture, fine tannins and a fresh, persistent finish, promising exceptional ageing potential. Vintages such as 1982, 2003, 2009, 2010 and 2016 are particularly prized, and some, like 1870, remain legendary. Average annual production is around 16,000 cases, or 192,000 bottles, marketed via Place de Bordeaux.

Carruades de Lafite - Le Second Vin

Carruades de Lafite, the estate's second wine, takes its name from the Carruades plateau, a clay-gravel terroir acquired at the end of the 19th century. Mainly Merlot (often over 50%), complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon and sometimes Cabernet Franc, this wine is made from younger vines (less than 10 years old). Vinified using the same traditional methods as the Grand Vin, with fermentation in wood, concrete and stainless steel vats, and aged for 16 months in French oak barrels, Carruades de Lafite offers a distinct personality, marked by roundness and more immediate accessibility. Its aromas of black fruits, spices and woody notes will appeal to wine lovers looking for an elegant, affordable wine that reflects the estate's heritage. Highly prized, especially on the Asian market, it has become a collector's wine in its own right.

Anseillan

Introduced in 2018, Anseillan is a rare cuvée, produced from a single plot in Pauillac, close to the Gironde estuary, on a terroir of gravel, clay and limestone. Dominated by Merlot (for example, 48% in 2018, with 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Petit Verdot), this cuvée embodies a modern approach while respecting the estate's traditions. With careful vinification and barrel ageing, Anseillan offers a balanced structure, supple tannins and ripe fruit aromas, promising a bright future. This confidential cuvée, relaunched after a hiatus since the 1980s, is a must for lovers of unique, promising wines.

The Best Vintages of Château Lafite Rothschild according to Robert Parker

Robert Parker's critics have singled out several outstanding vintages of Château Lafite Rothschild, with perfect scores of 100/100 for iconic years such as 1870, 1953, 1959, 2003, 2010, 2018 and 2019. The 2016 vintage, rated 99/100, comes close to perfection, while years such as 1865, 1982, 1996 and 2008, with 98/100, testify to the consistency and excellence of this prestigious estate, synonymous with quality and refinement in the world of great Bordeaux wines.

The Great Vintages of Pauillac

The Pauillac appellation, the jewel of the Médoc, is world-renowned for its exceptional red wines, combining power, elegance and ageing potential. Among the most memorable vintages are 1975, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1990, prized for their depth and ability to evolve over time. 1995, 1996, 2000, 2003 and 2005 stand out for their robust structure and rich aromas. More recently, the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 vintages have reinforced Pauillac's reputation, offering balanced, complex wines ideal for lovers of grand crus destined for long cellaring.

Other Châteaux Premiers Grands Cru Classé

Discover the prestigious world of Premiers Grands Crus Classés, consecrated by the 1855 classification, which embody the elite of Bordeaux wines. In Pauillac, iconic estates such as Château Lafite-Rothschild, Château Latour and Château Mouton Rothschild produce red wines dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, combining structure, complexity and exceptional ageing potential. In the Margaux appellation, Château Margaux stands out for its finesse and subtle aromas, offering an experience of rare elegance. In Pessac-Léognan, Château Haut-Brion reveals the richness of its gravelly terroir, blending intensity and sophistication. Finally, Château d'Yquem, star of Sauternes, excels with its sweet wines of incomparable opulence and longevity, perfect for lovers of exceptional sweet wines. Browse our selection of Premiers Grands Crus Classés for an unforgettable experience!

Château Lafite Rothschild is a symbol of elegance and resilience in the face of the vagaries of time and nature. From its medieval origins to its Premier Grand Cru Classé status, the estate has combined tradition and innovation to produce wines of incomparable finesse and complexity. Whether it's the majestic Grand Vin Château Lafite Rothschild, the elegant Carruades de Lafite or the promising Cuvée Anseillan, each bottle tells a story of terroir, expertise and passion. By committing itself to organic farming and the preservation of biodiversity, the estate, run by the sixth generation of the Rothschild family, is writing a new chapter in its heritage, turned towards a sustainable future. For Château Lafite Rothschild wine lovers, investing in these vintages means acquiring a piece of history and excellence, to be savored or treasured in your cellar. Explore our selection of competitively priced Château Lafite Rothschild and let yourself be seduced by the timeless soul of these exceptional wines.