Carruades de Lafite 2007

The second wine, the 2007 Carraudes de Lafite, is nearly equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with tiny dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. A sleeper of the vintage, it offers sexy, ripe berry fruit intermixed with hints of cedarwood, forest floor, and underbrush. This plump, corpulent, fruity effort reveals a velvety texture as well as a lush finish. Enjoy it over the next 8-10 years. Drink 2010-2020.

This is quite woody on the nose, with a touch of burnt toast lacing the black fruits. Sous-bois characteristics becoming more evident with time. The palate is medium-bodied, very fine tannins, very harmonious with crisp blackberry, a touch of iodine and black cherries. The finish is incredibly smooth and seductive with more noticeable new oak than in previous vintages. To be honest, this is not that far below the Grand Vin this year. Tasted April 2008.

Balanced and very pretty, with refined tannins, medium body and delicious berry, chocolate and light spice

Mid ruby. Quite a sludgy colour. Lots of acidity evident from the first sniff. Very light. Well polished with some reasonably firm tannins underneath. Mid weight of fruit. Lightly chewy on the end. Rather astringent finish. A bit dull and lacking life but by no means one of the softest northern Médocs. Drink 2013-18

Good red-ruby. Precise aromas of black fruits, licorice and minerals lifted by a violet topnote. Juicy, leanish and a bit tart; began youthfully sullen but opened with air to show more seductive cassis, licorice and graphite flavors and a hint of bitter chocolate. A tad dry but not hard. This will probably need three to five years of bottle aging.

Good deep colour, elegant fragrance on the nose, fine expression and poise, great purity and charm over the firm Pauillac fruit. Drink 2012-17. 4 stars.