2019 Anseillan, Pauillac, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite)

Tasting note

Ruby red in colour, plenty of density in its tannic structure, ripe berry fruit, this feels relatively closed right now and could do with a few years extra in bottle to soften. Raspberry and black cherry appear as it opens, with slate and liquorice notes that root it in Pauillac despite the high levels of Merlot. Vinified in a mixture of oak, stainless steel and cement tanks, aged in 100% one year old barrels, made by the estate's onsite cooperage, and previously used for Lafite Rothschild.

Our thoughts

The understated label of this wine somewhat undersells its contents. Produced from a specific plot within the vineyard holdings of Château Lafite, and made by the same winemaking team in the same cellar, this was the first new wine from the Pauillac first growth in a century when first released in 2018. Merlot-dominant, the parcel previously either went into the grand vin or second wine Carruades de Lafite, and showcases a fine marriage of fine acidity and creamy tannins at a relatively affordable price, given its provenance.