Carruades de Lafite 2022

Attractive, showing blackcurrants, lead pencil and flowers such as lavender and violets on the nose, as well as tobacco. Medium-bodied and juicy with firm and linear tannins that are rather endless. Impressive stones and chalkiness. Excellent length and crunchiness. 53% cabernet sauvignon, 40% merlot, 4% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot. Drink in three or four years.

The 2022 Carruades de Lafite has turned out nicely in bottle, unwinding in the glass with a youthfully understated bouquet of raspberries, cherries and cedary pencil shavings, followed by a medium to full-bodied, suave and velvety palate that's supple and lively, built around refined, powdery tannins. 2025 - 2045

The 2022 Carruades de Lafite has an expressive bouquet with blackberry, wild strawberry and cedar scents that are perhaps a tad less floral than at the time of primeur. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. This is a "juicy" Carruades that's well balanced and fluid with a charming, poised finish that leans more toward the red side of the fruit spectrum. This is very fine.

Easily one of the best 2nd wines of the vintage, maintains tension and lift through the palate, showing well placed, reserved cassis, blueberry, cocoa bean, espresso and sea spray salinity on the finish. Eric Kohler technical director.