Named Lafite since at least as early as 1234, this enigmatic celebrity of a Bordeaux château has been owned by the Rothschild family since 1868.

Ranked as the very best of the Premiers Grands Crus Classés in 1855, Lafite has been one of the world’s most expensive red wines ever since. On the hill just north of Pauillac, with the land around the stream given over to a beautiful park and gardens, the Lafite property is just as pretty as its wines.

“Lafite has a soul, a beautiful, generous, kindly soul. Lafite turns bare earth into heaven. Lafite is harmony, a harmony between man and nature, because without our magnificent winegrowers, nothing would be accomplished.” Baron Eric de Rothschild

One of the largest Médoc estates, the vineyards are planted with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot and have an average age of 39 years old. One peculiarity of Lafite is that a small, but very highly prized, vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon vines is not actually in Pauillac at all, but in the adjoining commune of St Estèphe. The wine from this parcel almost always ends up in the Grand Vin, but the property has a special exemption allowing this cross-border labelling.

The volumes of the Grand Vin vary according to the vintages, but is often less than half the total crop with 20,000 cases made. The second wine, Carraudes de Lafite, has a slightly higher percentage of Merlot and is therefore more approachable in youth.

A REMARKABLE DECADE AROUND THE YEAR 2000. The remarkable vintages follow one another, favored by a rather dry climate during the vegetative period. Among the 2000, 2003, heat wave year, 2005, 2009 and 2010, the weather will make its stars.

Pauillac is a wine appellation located in the Médoc region of Bordeaux, France. It is known for producing some of the finest red wines in the world, with a reputation for elegance, complexity, and longevity. Pauillac is home to some of the most famous châteaux in Bordeaux, including Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour, and Château Mouton Rothschild.

The history of winemaking in Pauillac dates back to the Roman era, but it was not until the 17th century that the region began to gain recognition for its wines. The Dutch were the first to recognize the potential of Pauillac wines, and they began importing them to their home country in large quantities. In the 18th century, Pauillac wines became popular in England, and they were soon being exported to other parts of Europe and the world.

The style of production in Pauillac is traditional, with a focus on quality over quantity. The vineyards are planted on gravelly soils, which provide excellent drainage and reflect the heat back onto the vines, helping to ripen the grapes. The grapes grown in Pauillac are predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The wines are typically aged in oak barrels for 18-24 months, which adds complexity and depth to the final product.

The typical wines from Pauillac are full-bodied, with intense aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, and cedar. They are known for their firm tannins, which give the wines structure and longevity. Pauillac wines are often described as having a "pencil lead" or "graphite" character, which is a result of the gravelly soils in which the grapes are grown. The wines are also known for their ability to age gracefully, with some of the best vintages lasting for decades.

In conclusion, Pauillac is a wine appellation with a rich history and a reputation for producing some of the finest red wines in the world. The traditional style of production, the gravelly soils, and the focus on quality over quantity all contribute to the unique character of Pauillac wines. If you are looking for a wine with elegance, complexity, and longevity, look no further than Pauillac.