Château Lafite Rothschild

Château Lafite Rothschild is located in the town of Pauillac covering 178 hectares including 116 hectares of vines. It produces one of the most prestigious Bordeaux wines in the world.

The history of the château

Baron James de Rothschild acquired Château Lafite in 1868. This estate, rich in a thousand-year-old history, is already recognized for its exceptional terroir and its excellent vines. From 1234, he distinguished himself as a renowned wine producer. In 1855, it achieved the coveted rank of Premier Grand Cru Classé, thus consecrating its position among the jewels of the Bordeaux vineyard.

Guardians of a timeless tradition

Over the generations, the descendants of Baron James de Rothschild take care of this invaluable heritage. They span the ages, from the phylloxera crisis to the Great Depression, from times of peace to times of war, with admirable consistency and passion. Their dedication allows Château Lafite Rothschild to perpetuate its tradition of excellence and produce wines of exceptional quality, year after year. Each bottle of Château Lafite Rothschild contains much more than just a wine. It tells a story, that of a unique terroir, ancestral know-how and a timeless passion. It is the perfect expression of the alliance between heritage and modernity, a precious witness to the history of France and the Bordeaux vineyards.

Over the past six decades, Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite (DBR Lafite) has experienced remarkable expansion. The family has acquired new renowned châteaux in the Bordeaux region, thus consolidating its position among the undisputed leaders of the vineyard. Among these gems are the prestigious Château Duhart-Milon, Château Paradis Casseuil and Château Rieussec. DBR Lafite’s ambitious vision extends beyond French borders. Indeed, the group has established a notable international presence with Viña Los Vascos, an exceptional wine estate in Chile. This expansion demonstrates DBR Lafite’s commitment to producing wines of exceptional quality in the most prestigious terroirs in the world.

A diversified offer

In addition to its iconic châteaux, DBR Lafite offers a diverse range of wines to suit all tastes and occasions. Let us cite in particular:

– A wine from the Corbières valley

– A collection of Bordeaux wines

– R Legends

This diversity reflects the unique know-how and unwavering passion of DBR Lafite for viticulture. Each estate, each wine, is the expression of an exceptional terroir and an unwavering commitment to quality.

The vineyard

The Château Lafite Rothschild vineyard extends over 116 hectares, divided into three distinct plots :

– A hillsides surrounding the château

– The Carruades plateau

– A plot of 4.5 hectares in the commune of Saint-Estèphe

Most of the terroir is made up of fine, deep gravel, mixed with sand. This permeable and draining soil promotes optimal development of the vine’s roots, allowing the plants to access the water and nutrient resources necessary for them to flourish. The estate’s grape varieties contain 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. This distribution makes it possible to produce wines of great finesse and complexity, perfectly balanced between power and elegance. The vineyard also contains plots over 80 years old, one of which, called “La Gravière”, dates from 1886. These ancestral vines contribute to the unique typicity of Château Lafite Rothschild wines, giving them depth and complexity. unparalleled.

The wine matures for 18 to 20 months in oak barrels. Lafite Rothschild produces approximately 15,000 to 20,000 cases per year. The second wine, “Carruades de Lafite” is produced in approximately 25,000 to 30,000 cases.

Mythical vintages

To date, the legendary vintages are : 1921, 1945, 1982, 2000, 2005. Let us also note the 1986, 1996, 2003 and 2010 who obtained a score of 100/100 by the expert Robert Parker.