The second wine, Carruades de Lafite from Château Lafite Rothschild, originates from the gravel- and limestone-dominated soils surrounding the Lafite plateau in Pauillac, uniting the estate's classic sense of place with a slightly more open and immediate style. The diverse parcels—including younger Cabernet Sauvignon plantings as well as selected Merlot and Cabernet Franc plots—endow Carruades de Lafite 2025 with distinctive dynamism and freshness. In the 2025 vintage, the young vines in particular benefited from the warm conditions, yielding fruit of remarkable aromatic tension.

The growing season was shaped by a rainy winter, a dry spring, and a hot summer tempered by timely rainfall. Early vine development and even ripening allowed for a precise harvest between September 2 and 20. Cabernet Sauvignon in particular displayed unusual freshness and energy in this vintage, while Cabernet Franc contributed added aromatic tension and the later-ripening Merlot parcels developed a remarkable balance between density and freshness.

The blend consists of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Cabernet Sauvignon defines the structure and mineral precision of the wine, while Merlot provides suppleness and dark fruit. The comparatively high proportion of Cabernet Franc brings floral freshness, spice, and added aromatic complexity, while Petit Verdot complements with fine depth and structure.

In the glass, Carruades de Lafite 2025 shows a clear, dark color and open aromatics of blackcurrant, dark cherry, and cassis, accompanied by violets, fine spices, and subtle graphite notes. On the palate, the wine feels juicy and vibrant, yet precise and controlled. The tannins appear finely structured and tightly woven, while the fruit is carried by remarkable freshness. Compared with the Grand Vin, Carruades is more approachable and expressive early on, while preserving the hallmark precision, elegance, and mineral tension of Lafite.

Carruades de Lafite 2025 possesses very good aging potential and will evolve harmoniously over many years. With increasing bottle age, the dark fruit aromas will progressively meld with cedarwood, herbal, and tobacco notes, while its characteristic freshness and balance remain intact.