Carruades de Lafite 2018, the second wine of First Growth Château Lafite Rothschild. 94 points, Wine Spectator.

Carruades de Lafite is made at Lafite from younger vines and plots that sit alongside those of the Grand Vin, with the estate's signature elegance and cedar-and-graphite character. The 2018 blends 56.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 5.5% Cabernet Franc. After a wet spring, a hot, dry summer gave ripe, healthy fruit, picked from September 17 to October 5, and the Merlot performed so well that lots good enough for Lafite but not needed there went into Carruades. Wine Spectator (94 points) finds mulled plum, black cherry, dark tea and singed cedar, calling it "very restrained in feel, but with some seriously sneaky length." James Suckling went further at 97 points. Wine Spectator rates it best from 2025 through 2038. 13.5% ABV, 750ml.