A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) has built its reputation on quality in the vineyard and winemaking. The DBR (Lafite) Group began with Château Lafite Rothschild. It was the first Château purchased by the Rothschild family in 1868, and it continues to inspire and guide winegrowing practices at the various estates. The Rothschild family's expertise and tradition are applied to all of the properties with the goal of producing high-quality wines with finesse and elegance in the "Lafite Spirit."

"The Lafite Spirit" is built on a rich history and tradition rooted in the soil of Bordeaux, on the transmission of ancestral know-how from men and women, and on the perfection and refinement of the wines that they contribute to make. "The Lafite Spirit" is also the pioneering spirit that has prompted the Group to expand into new terroirs outside of France in order to create high-quality wines.

Since 1972, Baron Eric de Rothschild has given Château Lafite Rothschild a new lease on life, bringing the quest for perfection all the way from the vineyard to the cellars to a close. He has also expanded the estates' horizons by making additional acquisitions in France and internationally.

Along with Château Lafite Rothschild, the group quickly grew from 1962 onwards with the acquisitions of Château Duhart-Milon (Pauillac 4th Grand Cru Classé), Château Rieussec (Sauternes Premier Grand Cru Classé), and Château L'Evangile (Sauternes Premier Grand Cru Classé) (Pomerol). Viña Los Vascos (Chile, 1988), Domaine d'Aussières (Languedoc, 1999), Bodegas Caro (Argentina, 1999), and since 2008, it has been establishing a vineyard in China's Penglai area.

Under the names Légende and Saga, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) has produced a variety of Bordeaux region wines since 1995. Château Paradis Casseuil and Château Peyre-Lebade are also distributed by DBR (Lafite) (Bordeaux).

AN EXCEPTIONAL TERROIR

The vineyard is divided into three sections: the slopes around the Château, the nearby Carruades plateau to the west, and 4.5 hectares in Saint Estèphe. The vineyard is 112 hectares in size and is well-drained and exposed, with fine deep gravel mixed with aeolian sand over a tertiary limestone substrate. It's well-drained and gets plenty of sun.

Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) is the most common grape variety, followed by Merlot (25%), Cabernet Franc (3%), and Petit Verdot (2%).

The grapevines are 39 years old on average. However, vines that are less than ten years old are not employed in the Grand Vin. This suggests that the vines utilized in the Grand Vin (Château Lafite Rothschild) are closer to 45 years old on average. "La Gravière," the oldest plot, was planted in 1886.

Since 1962, the property has been administered by a single crew that handles both Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Duhart-Milon due to their close proximity. Eric Kohler, Technical Director of Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Duhart-Milon, is supported by Christophe Congé, oenologist and winemaker, and Louis Caillard, vineyard manager.

Both châteaux employ the same traditional procedures, which include stringent yield management, manual harvests, and a variety of duties that are completed by hand throughout the year. The vines are often pulled out (with a sad heart) when they reach 80 years old, with little or no chemical fertilizers utilized and careful use of organic fertilizers allowing them to reach a long age.

THE KING’S WINE AND THE WINE PRINCE

From 1716 onwards, Marquis Nicolas Alexandre de Ségur built on Lafite's early success. He improved winemaking processes and, most importantly, raised the status of exquisite wines in international markets and at the palace of Versailles. With the help of an able envoy, the Maréchal de Richelieu, he became known as "The Wine Prince," and Lafite's wine became known as "The King's Wine." When Maréchal de Richelieu was appointed Governor of Guyenne in 1755, he sought advice from a Bordeaux doctor, who recommended Château Lafite as "the finest and most delightful of all tonics." "Maréchal, you look twenty-five years younger than you did when you departed for Guyenne," Louis XV informed Richelieu when he returned to Paris. "Does his Majesty not know that I have discovered the Fountain of Youth?" Richelieu said. "Does His Majesty not realize I've found the Fountain of Youth?" Château Lafite's wine is a delectable, generous cordial that reminds me of the ambrosia of the Gods of Olympus." Lafite was soon the topic of intense debate at Versailles, having received the King's high approbation. Everyone wanted to get their hands on Lafite's wines. It was served during Madame de Pompadour's dinner receptions, and Madame du Barry afterwards made a point of drinking "only the King's Wine."

THE COOPERAGE

The barrels that store the wine during several months of aging are crafted by barrel builders (or coopers) from the Domaines' cooperage. The barrels are made with great care, which plays an important part in the wine's maturing.

Because of the technical complexities of barrel construction, coopers bear a great deal of responsibility and are dedicated to their profession. The quality of our barrels is determined by the lumber we use, how we sort it during the manufacturing process, how we prepare the staves, and how precisely we assemble them.

The cooperage of the Domaine is located in Pauillac. Lafite has always had a cooperage, according to Médoc tradition. The present staff consists of five barrel makers who work around the clock to manufacture 2,000 barrels for the company's numerous assets.

Oak is hand-picked from the magnificent woods of the Allier and Nivernais, then dried for two years in the open air at Lafite before being created. This freedom allows us to manage the wood's geographical origin, drying quality, and toasting during assembly, which can impart a distinct flavor to the wine depending on its quality.