1995 Carruades de Lafite – Pauillac
€210.00
Out of stock
1995 Carruades de Lafite – Pauillac
Score: 92/100
The 1995 Carruades de Lafite, the second wine of Château Lafite Rothschild, is a classic Pauillac with the refinement, structure, and aging potential associated with its prestigious First Growth parent estate. While Carruades is typically more approachable in its youth, the 1995 vintage was a structured, long-lived year, meaning well-stored bottles today still offer a compelling drinking experience.
The 1995 Vintage in Bordeaux
The 1995 vintage was excellent, marked by a hot, dry summer that led to thick-skinned grapes and concentrated flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon—dominant in Carruades—ripened beautifully, yielding wines with firm tannins, deep fruit, and excellent aging potential. The vintage is known for its powerful structure, making it one of the longest-lived of the 1990s.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
A deep ruby core with slight bricking at the rim, indicating slow and graceful aging. The clarity and viscosity suggest a wine still holding good structure.
Nose:
An elegant bouquet of blackcurrants, plums, and dried cherries, intertwined with notes of cedar, graphite, and cigar box—hallmarks of Lafite’s terroir. Subtle secondary aromas of leather, tobacco, and damp earth add further depth, while a hint of vanilla and spice lingers from its time in oak.
Palate:
The 1995 Carruades de Lafite remains structured and refined, with well-integrated tannins and a medium to full body. Flavors of blackberry, cassis, and dark cherries dominate, balanced by earthy undertones, pencil lead, and hints of dried herbs. The acidity still provides a fresh lift, and the finish is long and polished, with lingering notes of cedar, spice, and graphite.
Conclusion
The 1995 Carruades de Lafite is a testament to how well Bordeaux’s best second wines can age in top vintages. While it does not reach the complexity of Château Lafite Rothschild itself, it delivers a beautifully refined Pauillac experience, particularly for those who enjoy wines with classic Médoc structure and Lafite’s signature elegance. Now at peak maturity, it can still evolve for a few more years but is best enjoyed in the near term.
