READ · COMPARE · EXPLAIN
Château Lafite Rothschild: Vineyard Names and Selection
A château based in Pauillac, Bordeaux. The Grand Vin focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon, while Carruades de Lafite contains a higher percentage of Merlot.
I will explain the differences between Lafite and Carruades in terms of the origin of the grapes and blend composition.
Questions for this course
How precisely does the name Carruades specify the source vineyard?
Before you start reading, briefly jot down your thoughts. You will rephrase them at the end.
To applied practice using the material ↓
To explanation task notes ↓Château Lafite Rothschild / Learn from producers
France / Bordeaux / Pauillac
Synonym/Label: Château Lafite Rothschild / Château Lafite Rothschild / Château Lafite Rothschild
Update date: 2026-09-24
Vineyards in multiple locations
The Lafite vineyards are divided between slopes around the château, plateau land for Carruades, and adjacent plots in Saint-Estèphe. Even for a single château's wine, you cannot consider all the grape sources as one contiguous vineyard.
Blend of Carruades
Carruades de Lafite has a higher proportion of Merlot than the Grand Vin, and the grape parcels are also specifically chosen. Although the name of the plateau is used in the brand name, it cannot be assumed that all grapes from the plateau go into this single wine.
Separate sorting and blending
Selection of the raw material for each wine, and the proportions of base wines for the assemblage, are separate decisions. When comparing two labels, check the blend proportions for each vintage before considering the role of Merlot.
What to align and what to compare.
Vineyard
- Conditions to standardize
- Château Lafite Rothschild
- Conditions for comparison.
- Slope, plateau, and the plots of Saint-Estèphe.
- Additional points to confirm
- The Château Name Does Not Mean a Single Vineyard
Label
- Conditions to standardize
- Château Lafite Rothschild
- Conditions for comparison.
- Lafite and Carruades
- Additional points to confirm
- Do not equate the full range of raw materials with the producer name.
Blending
- Conditions to standardize
- Château Lafite Rothschild
- Conditions for comparison.
- Carruades has a higher proportion of Merlot
- Additional points to confirm
- Check if the ratio is fixed or changes by year
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
Château Lafite Rothschild: Reading the Technical Sheets – Vineyard Names and Selection
Compare the stated conditions in the documentation. Numbers specifying vintages should be treated as information for that specific year.
This summarizes materials published by producers, regional groups, and importers. Each source includes the publisher and the date the material was checked.
| Comparison items | What can be determined from the materials | Ability to distinguish by reading |
|---|---|---|
| Vineyard | Slope, plateau, and the plots of Saint-Estèphe. | The Château Name Does Not Mean a Single Vineyard |
| Label | Lafite and Carruades | Do not equate the full range of raw materials with the producer name. |
| Blending | Carruades has a higher proportion of Merlot | Check if the ratio is fixed or changes by year |
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Read the explanation for each question
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How would you explain vineyard distribution?
The official explanation mentions three areas.
What are the characteristics of Carruades?
Distinguish between producer styles and the precise blends for each vintage.
How can the relation between plateau and wine label be verified?
Even for labels featuring a place name, you need to separately confirm the scope of the raw materials used. For example, Carruades bears a plateau name, but documentation also explains raw material selection for each wine. Distinguish between knowing the origin of the place name and identifying all the plots actually used.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Please explain differences in raw materials and winemaking by reading the table and sources.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Comparison items | What can be determined from the materials | Ability to distinguish by reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vineyard | Slope, plateau, and the plots of Saint-Estèphe. | The Château Name Does Not Mean a Single Vineyard | |
| Label | Lafite and Carruades | Do not equate the full range of raw materials with the producer name. | |
| Blending | Carruades has a higher proportion of Merlot | Check if the ratio is fixed or changes by year |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Explain the differences between Lafite and Carruades in terms of the origin of the grapes and blend composition.
Check after writing
- Did you specify the label, vintage, and scope of materials to be compared?
- Did you distinguish and explain the three items in the table?
- Did you separate verified facts from points to check further with additional references or tasting?
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