Chateau Lafite Rothschild
On the northern edge of the Pauillac appellation, on a ridge of deep gravel that slopes gently down to the mouth of the River Gironde, lies what is arguably the most famous wine estate in the world. Château Lafite Rothschild has been known as the ‘first among the first grands crus’ since 1855, and has been owned by the same family for over 150 years. Such a combination of location, history and continuity is a true rarity in the world of wine.
History
The name ‘Lafite’ derives from ‘La Hite’, a Gascon word meaning a small hill or ridge, which perfectly describes the topography of this area. According to historical records, a wine-growing estate existed here as early as 1234, when the estate belonged to Gombaud de Lafite. By the 17th century, ownership had passed to the Ségur family, and it was the Marquis de Ségur who, in the early 18th century, made the name ‘Lafite’ famous throughout Europe. Among the admirers of this wine were both King Louis XV and Thomas Jefferson. Following a period of instability during and after the French Revolution, the estate passed to the Dutch Van Lerberghe family in the early 19th century, under whose ownership it was classified as a first-growth wine at Napoleon III’s World Exhibition in 1855.
The most decisive moment in the estate’s modern history came on 8 August 1868, when Baron James de Rothschild, founder of the Paris branch of the Rothschild banking dynasty, purchased ‘Lafite’ at auction for 4,140,000 francs, plus a further 300,000 for the adjacent Carruades plateau. Baron James died just three months after the purchase, and the estate passed to his three sons, Alphonse, Gustave and Edmond. The 20th century brought with it many trials: the phylloxera crisis destroyed most of the vineyards, and during the Second World War the estate was occupied by German troops, whilst its cellars were subjected to widespread looting. Baron Élie de Rothschild regained possession of the estate in 1945 and set about the long task of restoring it.
From 1974 to 2018, the estate was managed by Baron Éric de Rothschild, who is largely credited with consolidating ‘Lafite’s’ position at the pinnacle of the Bordeaux hierarchy and transforming the ‘Domaines Barons de Rothschild’ group into a global wine-producing company with estates in Pomerol, Sauternes, Languedoc, Chile, Argentina and China.
In April 2018, Baron Eric’s daughter, Saskia de Rothschild, became the youngest person in history to head a First Growth estate. Eric Kohler, who took up the post of technical director in 2016, and Frédéric Domingo, the head winemaker, oversee the day-to-day work of the winemaking team.
Vineyards
The vineyards cover an area of 112 hectares and are divided into three zones: the slopes immediately surrounding the château, the Carruades plateau to the west, and a 4.5-hectare plot in the neighbouring commune of Saint-Estèphe, for which Lafite holds a special licence to use the harvest to produce its Pauillac wines.
Some of the vines on the estate are 140 years old and have never been grafted, having escaped the phylloxera epidemic that destroyed almost all the other vineyards around them.
Terroir
The soils here are the quintessence of Bordeaux: fine, deep gravel mixed with wind-blown sand, resting on a well-drained limestone subsoil, with some areas of gravel reaching depths of 10 metres. These soils naturally regulate the water balance, draining excess rainwater and retaining moisture during dry years, whilst also forcing the vines’ roots to dig deeper in search of nutrients, resulting in fruit that is more concentrated and complex in flavour.
The estate is also situated within a 126-hectare wetland area included in the Natura 2000 network, which contributes to the microclimate and biodiversity of the region.
Grape varieties
Four classic Médoc varieties are grown here: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Cabernet Sauvignon predominates, accounting for around 70 per cent of the total vineyard area, followed by Merlot at around 25 per cent, with Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot making up the remainder. Only vines over ten years old are used to produce the grand vin.
Winemaking
Depending on their origin and degree of ripeness, the grapes are fermented in a mixture of wooden, stainless steel and concrete vats at a controlled temperature of between 26 and 27 degrees Celsius. Fermentation usually lasts around 15 days.
Following malolactic fermentation, each barrel is tasted individually, after which a decision is made on the final selection and blending. The ‘grand vin’ is then aged for 15 months in new French oak barrels, crafted at the estate’s own cooperage, Tonnellerie des Domaines, located in Poyac.
The estate is currently transitioning to organic farming, and its ‘Phare’ project, a programme dedicated to preserving old vines and conducting varietal trials, aimed at understanding and adapting to climate change, reflects a long-term commitment to the health of the land.
Wines
Château Lafite Rothschild produces two wines. The grand vin, bearing the château’s name, is made from a significant proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon blended with Merlot and a small amount of Petit Verdot, though the exact proportions vary from year to year.
The second wine, Carruades de Lafite, is made from grapes grown on the Carruades plateau, acquired in the 19th century, and typically features a higher proportion of Merlot, giving it a rounder and more vibrant character compared to the grand vin.
Both wines are sold under the traditional Bordeaux ‘en primeur’ system through a network of wine merchants, with 95 per cent of production destined for export. In December 2023, the estate joined the B Corp community, receiving a sustainability certificate, one of the most prestigious quality marks in the world of wine.
The best vitages of Lafite Rothschild
Legendary vintages from the past include: 1847, 1848, 1870, 1899, 1900, 1928, 1929, 1945, 1947, 1949, 1959, 1961, 1982, 1990, 1996, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022.
