France·Foundational·$$$$$

Château Lafite Rothschild

A Pauillac First Growth and one of Bordeaux's five Premier Grand Cru Classé estates, owned by the Rothschild family since 1868 and prized for its elegant, age-worthy Cabernet-dominant reds.

Founded
Documented as a wine property by the 17th century; site held by Gombaud de Lafite as early as 1234 (Rothschild ownership from 1868)
Ownership
Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) — Rothschild family
Price tier
$$$$$
Annual production
Around 35,000 cases total annually, of which 15,000–25,000 are the first growth (grand vin)
Primary appellation
Pauillac AOC
Cross-references
7

About Château

Château Lafite Rothschild is one of the original First Growths named in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification and sits among the most coveted wines in the world. The estate was an established wine property by the 17th century, when it was held by the Ségur family, and was purchased in 1868 by Baron James Mayer Rothschild, becoming Château Lafite Rothschild. It remains in Rothschild hands today under Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite); Saskia de Rothschild succeeded Éric de Rothschild in 2018. The vineyard is one of the largest in the Médoc at roughly 107 hectares, planted predominantly to Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Lafite is known for a refined, restrained, perfumed style that rewards long cellaring. The grand vin is supported by the second wine, Carruades de Lafite.

Flagship wines

  • Château Lafite Rothschild (grand vin)
  • Carruades de Lafite (second wine)

Editorial notes

Practical guidance

Among the most counterfeited fine wines; buy from trusted sources with provenance. Top vintages need a decade or more of cellaring and benefit from decanting.

Cross-references

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