1998 Carruades de Lafite
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Tasting notes
Drinking at full maturity yet with plenty of life ahead of it, the 1998 Carruades De Lafite offers up beautiful Pauillac ripe currant, graphite, lead pencil, and smoky tobacco nuances, and it builds nicely with time in the glass. Medium-bodied and concentrated, it has a beautiful core of sweet fruit, ripe, polished tannins, and just an overall balanced, classy, incredibly satisfying style. Drink bottles any time over the coming 10-15 years. Drink 2025-2040.
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
This has become one of the finest second wines produced. The 1998 (a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc, and 1.5% Petit Verdot) is an outstanding effort. While very Lafite-like (although more supple and forward), it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color in addition to an excellent bouquet of black fruits, smoke, earth, and minerals, supple tannin, an excellent texture, and a long, fine finish. Anticipated maturity: now-2015.
Currant bush and light earth aromas follow through to a full body, with polished tannins and a balance of currant and fresh herbs. Attractive, but a bit lean. Second wine of Lafite. 88/98 Bordeaux blind retrospective (2008). Drink now. 29,165 cases made.-James Suckling, Wine Spectator 2009
This has become one of the finest second wines produced. The 1998 (a blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc, and 1.5% Petit Verdot) is an outstanding effort. While very Lafite-like (although more supple and forward), it exhibits a dense ruby/purple color in addition to an excellent bouquet of black fruits, smoke, earth, and minerals, supple tannin, an excellent texture, and a long, fine finish. Anticipated maturity: now-2015. Apr 2001, www.robertparker.com