Carruades de Lafite has just released for £800 per case of six. This translates to a 27% increase on last years sterling release price, but a 20% discount to its current trading price. Moreover, today’s release price represents a 27% discount to the average trading price of all vintages back to 2005. The average release price since 2005 is £1,088 and the average performance since release is 103%!
In 2016 we thought Carruades has returned to form, offering greater power and finesse than the 2015. James Suckling agrees awarding it 94-95 points, while Neal Martin played it safe with the same score as 2015. However, Carruades’ vehement Asian demand means that the score is immaterial. Carruades is the archetypal investment grade wine and in enormous demand. This is a very fine Carruades which you will probably never drink because it will jump 20% in value by the time it is in bottle.
| Carruades | WA | JS | Price/12 | Release Price | POP |
| 2016 | 89-91 | 94-95 | £1,600 | £1,600 | 160 |
| 2015 | 89-91 | 92-93 | £2,000 | £1,260 | 200 |
| 2014 | 88 | 94 | £2,000 | £920 | 250 |
| 2013 | 77-79 | 92 | £2,100 | £1,000 | N/A |
| 2012 | 89 | 92 | £2,165 | £1,200 | 241 |
| 2011 | 87-89 | 90 | £2,100 | £1,170 | 263 |
| 2010 | 94 | 95 | £2,200 | £2,500 | 157 |
| 2009 | 93 | 95 | £2,300 | £1,950 | 177 |
| 2008 | 91 | 91 | £2,250 | £550 | 205 |
| 2007 | 90 | N/A | £2,300 | £600 | 230 |
| 2006 | 90 | N/A | £2,460 | £410 | 246 |
| 2005 | 89 | N/A | £2,400 | £410 | 267 |
Carruades de Lafite 2016, 6×75 – £800 EP
89-91 Points, Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate
The 2016 Carruades de Lafite is a blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot this year that matured in around 20-25% new oak. Eric Kohler told me that they now practice more selection for the Carruades and in this respect, the great fruit concentration means that he has just tweaked the level of new oak upwards. It has an attractive bouquet with smoke and tobacco infused black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin. This is a linear and conservative Carruades, one without the frills, almost economical but that is not necessarily a bad thing. It is fresh and focused, demonstrating more ripeness than previous vintages, and has a little more length. Drink it over the next decade.
94-95 Points, James Suckling
The most tannic and textured Carruades ever. Full-bodied, big and powerful. Very, very long. New style?
To buy this wine, click here