Château Lafite-Rothschild

One of Bordeaux’s five First Growths in the 1855 classification, Château Lafite-Rothschild is a bastion not just of Bordeaux, but the source of one of the most acclaimed and coveted wines in the world. Set on a gravelly terroir on the northern reaches of Pauillac, its 110ha of Cabernet Sauvignon dominated vines reach the edges of the Gironde Estuary and the commune of St-Estèphe, both of which play a part in the structured yet elegant profile of the grand vin.

Having celebrated its 150th year in the ownership of the same family in 2018, the property has since undergone something of a transformation. Firstly, Saskia de Rothschild, the 6th generation, took over the management of the estate, and its various sister properties, as the first female chairwoman of the family domaines (which also incorporate Château Duhart-Milon, l’Evangile and Rieussec, as well as joint ventures in Chile, Argentina and China). Then secondly – and the most significant immediate impact she has made – came the conversion of all the Lafite vineyards (and those of its sister estates) to organic viticulture. More recently, the estate has been pursuing biodynamic viticulture – an even more radical move in Bordeaux – with one third of the property now farmed this way. While the long-term impact of the move is still to be felt, the quality and style of the wine remains unimpeached, with the extremely popular second wine, Carruades de Lafite, better than ever.