English
FrançaisChâteau Lafite Rothschild — The Ultimate Médoc Icon
A First Growth of Pauillac, Château Lafite Rothschild has embodied the timeless grandeur of the Médoc for centuries. Owned by the family of Saskia de Rothschild (Domaines Barons de Rothschild), this legendary estate unites finesse, purity of expression and outstanding longevity. Classified as a First Growth in 1855, it is led today by Frédéric Engerer, whose vision blends traditional respect with contemporary precision.
A Remarkable Terroir
Set on Pauillac’s classic gravel croupes, the estate covers 112 hectares, 100 ha of which are in production. These deep Garonne gravels provide natural drainage, enabling slow, even ripening and ideal conditions for the vines.
The varietal mix reflects Médoc nobility: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. This subtle blend yields wines of remarkable architectural structure, combining poised power with refined aromatics.
High-Precision Viticulture
- soil work and selective cover-cropping,
- high planting density (7,500 vines/ha),
- hand harvesting by parcel,
- rigorous grape selection.
Cutting-edge tools — optical sorting, micro-vinifications — complement an artisanal philosophy centred on respect for the vine and place.
Winemaking & Ageing: The Nobility of Balance
Each parcel is vinified separately in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks with long macerations (3–4 weeks). Maturation lasts 18–20 months in French oak barrels, about 80% new, polishing silky tannins and elevating fruit precision — preserving the estate’s hallmark: elegance, depth and longevity.
Signature Cuvées
- Château Lafite Rothschild — The grand vin and Médoc icon: deep colour, complex bouquet (blackcurrant, cedar, violet, graphite), aristocratic palate and sovereign length.
- Carruades de Lafite — The refined second wine, earlier-drinking yet true to Lafite’s purity, offering charm and precision.
Technical Information
| Characteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Surface area | 112 ha (100 ha in production) |
| Average vine age | ~45 years |
| Planting density | 7,500 vines/ha |
| Second wine | Carruades de Lafite (~280,000 bottles/year) |
| Optimum drinking | 10 to 50 years depending on vintage |
| Grape varieties | 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot |
| Legendary vintages | 2010, 2009, 2008, 2003, 2000, 1996, 1986, 1982, 1959, 1953, 1865 |
A Mythic First Growth
A symbol of viticultural excellence, Château Lafite Rothschild has built its legend on incomparable elegance and longevity. Its great vintages rank among the world’s most sought-after bottles.
