 |
Chateau Lafite Rothschild
Chateau Lafite Rothschild occupies the finest crests in Pauillac.
Throughout the middle ages, up until 1798, the seigneurs of Lafite were
the high administrators of justice in the country. It was through
officers of their choice that they exercised this right. The chateau was
bought by Baron James de Rothschild in 1868, but he never saw it.
At the time he was old and sick, but his three sons, Alphonse, Gustave
and Edmond liked the idea of pouring Lafite as their own wine. It was
already the world's most prestigious wine. Many records refer to the
wines of Lafite including the well known archives of Thomas Jefferson
who frequently purchased this wine for the first president of the United
States, George Washington. Lafite represents the very best that wine can
be.
The estate is one of the largest in the Mèdoc at around 1 km, and
produces around 35,000 cases annually, of which between 15,000 and
25,000 are of its famous first growth. Its vines are around 70 %
Cabernet Sauvignon, 25 % Merlot, 3 % Cabernet Franc, and 2 % Petit
Verdot, whereas the final wine is generally between 80 and 95 % Cabernet
Sauvignon, 5 and 20 % Merlot, and up to 3 % Cabernet Franc and Petit
Verdot.
Lafite is fermented in 27 vats of Bosnian oak and spends between 24-30
months
in French oak barriques. The whole process from picking the
grapes to bottling is strictly supervised by Eric de Rothschild, the
present administrator
on behalf of the family. At picking time a very
severe selection process is carried out and in very abundant vintages as
much as half of the crop is eliminated.
Lafite Wines:
- Lafite Rothschild
- Carruades de Lafite (2nd wine)
The Domains Baron de Rothschild also owns:
- Chateau Duhart-Milon
- Chateau Rieussec
- Chateau lEvangile
|
|
