Carruades Lafite

(a blend of 51% cabernet sauvignon, 42% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot; 13.5% alcohol; 55% of the total crop) Bright ruby-red. Delicious fruit-forward nose is remarkably charming in its strawberry, blackcurrant and smoky plum aromas. Then fresh and juicy on the palate, with flavors similar to the aromas and hints of flint and black pepper on the long, fruity, mineral-tinged finish. A charming Carruades that should offer immense drinking appeal during the first six to eight years of its life in bottle. Carruades is made from young vines on a north-exposed parcel close to the main chateau building, and from some younger, high-quality vines in the heart of the Lafite vineyard. While these latter centrally located vines are currently too young to be used for the grand vin, says Chevallier, they have greatness written all over them. And when the grapes are as fully ripe as they were in '09, Carruades is a really lovely wine.