Introduction to Château Lafite Rothschild

Dibao Wine | Specialist Buyback of Château Lafite Rothschild from All Vintages

The History and Standing of Château Lafite Rothschild

Château Lafite Rothschild is in Pauillac in the Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France, and is one of the five Bordeaux First Growths. It has shaped wine history since the 17th century, while the estate’s recorded history can be traced back to 1234.

Distinctive Terroir and Vineyards

Château Lafite Rothschild lies in the Médoc and benefits from distinctive climatic and soil conditions. Of the estate’s 178 hectares, 107 hectares are planted to vines, making it one of the largest classified estates. These vineyards occupy 3 areas: the hills around the main château, the Carruades Plateau to the west and about 4.5 hectares of authorised land in the neighbouring village of Saint-Estèphe. All 3 receive ample sunlight and have Tertiary chalk subsoil mixed with weathered gravel, providing excellent drainage for the vines.

Grape Varieties and Winemaking

The vineyard is planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon, at 68%, with 28% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot; the average vine age is 35 years. The estate does not use fruit from vines under 10 years old, and vines used for the Grand Vin are at least 45 years old. In the parcel known as La Gravière, some vines are more than 100 years old.

It takes grapes from 2 to 3 vines to produce one bottle, and total annual production is kept at 20,000 to 30,000 cases. The wines ferment in oak vats for 18 to 25 days, using barrels from the estate’s own cooperage. They then age for 18 to 24 months and are racked several times to separate the lees.

Landmark Château Lafite Rothschild Vintages

Quality varies markedly by vintage. The following are among the vintages most sought after by collectors:

1982—Lafite’s best-known vintage, rated 100 points by Robert Parker. In Asia, particularly Hong Kong and mainland China, 1982 Lafite has near-mythical status and is one of the most frequently traded individual wines on the secondary market; well-preserved examples have recorded transactions above HK$1 million.

1986—firmly structured and powerfully tannic, a classic long-lived vintage. After three to four decades, it can develop exceptional complexity and remains a serious collector’s choice.

1996—one of Bordeaux’s finest vintages of the decade beginning in 1990. Lafite performed particularly well, with balanced acidity, marked minerality and continuing ageing potential.

2000—the millennium vintage combined with excellent weather and high scores across the First Growths. Lafite 2000 is rich and rounded and has entered its drinking window, offering both collectible and drinking value.

2009 / 2010—two consecutive benchmark vintages, often called the “twins”. The 2009 is rounded and generous, while the 2010 is more tightly structured; both have exceptional ageing potential and have been prominent choices for investors.

Second Wine: Carruades de Lafite

Carruades de Lafite is Château Lafite Rothschild’s official second wine, made from younger vines and parcels considered less ideally situated. Annual production is about 9,000 to 10,000 cases. Although a second wine, Carruades remains among the leading wines of Bordeaux’s classified estates; its style is more approachable and it generally reaches its drinking window earlier than the Grand Vin.

Strong Carruades vintages, including 1982, 2009 and 2010, also have steady secondary-market demand. Dibao Wine considers Carruades from all vintages.

Further Reading

For information on the buyback market for Château Lafite Rothschild, visit the Dibao Wine Lafite buyback page for current quotations by vintage. As one of the five Bordeaux First Growths, Château Lafite Rothschild has long been a collector favourite. For the process and common questions, see the fine-wine buyback FAQs, or visit About Dibao Wine to learn about its specialist services.