Carruades de Lafite 2004

Lafite’s second wine has become stronger over recent vintages as the selection for the grand vin has become Draconian under administrator Charles Chevalier. The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2004 Carruades de Lafite (48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) exhibits sweet, crunchy, savory, black cherry, and raspberry fruit along with hints of road tar, spring flowers, and a touch of minerality. Give it 1-2 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 12-13.

Fresh and fruity, with light coffee and toasted oak undertone. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a light finish.

Deep purplish crimson. Definite top drawer nose - that oak they use is awfully good - but clearly a bit skinny. Some obvious fruit on the front but lots of leanness behind. Slightly green note. Lots of vegetation invoked by the nose - quite stern structure but very competently made. This should not disappoint - a fair representation of the vintage without too much meanness on the palate even if on the nose there's a little herbaceousness. Dry, slightly hollow finish but that nose wins me over. Drink 2013-18.