Pauillac

2003

1st Growth

86% Cabernet Sauvignon
9% Merlot
3% Cabernet Franc
2% Petit Verdot

Region: Bordeaux

ESTATE HISTORY

Baron Eric de Rothschild As early as 1815, the broker Guillaume Lawton said of Château Lafite: “I classified it as possessing the most elegance and delicacy and the finest sap of the three [Premiers Crus]. The position of its vines is one of the most beautiful in the Médoc”.
In 1855, the Château will be consecrated 1st Grand Cru on the occasion of the famous Classification drawn up during the Universal Exhibition.

TERROIR

The vineyard consists of three main areas: the hillsides around the Château, the adjacent Carruades plateau to the west, and 4.5 hectares in neighbouring Saint Estèphe. The vineyard covers 112 hectares and is well-drained and well-exposed, with soil made up of fine deep gravel, mixed with aeolian sand on a subsoil of tertiary limestone. It is well-drained and well-exposed to the sun.

VITICULTURE

The average age of the grapevines is 45 years old. Little or no chemical fertilizers are used, and careful use of organic fertilizers allow the vines to reach an advanced age, they are generally pulled out (with a heavy heart) when they reach 80 years old.

WINEMAKING

The grapes are fermented in separate vats. Fermentation takes place in two vat rooms: one with traditional large oak vats, and the other with modern stainless steel vats, with integrated cooling/heating rings and automated centralized temperature control.
Malolactic fermentation takes place in vats before the wine is transferred into barrels by batches.
All of the barrels come from the Domaines cooperage. Then the ageing phase of the wine begins in the cellar, which takes between 18 and 20 months.

TASTING & FOOD PAIRINGS

The color is dark and the nose expresses very ripe red fruits. On the palate, this vintage is particularly rich, deep and unctuous with very round tannins. The finish is long and persistent.

*Please note the image is of a representative bottle. For pictures of the actual bottle please contact us.