Château Lafite Rothschild

The history of this estate spans several centuries, with the earliest known mention of Gombaud de Lafite dating to 1234. In the 17th century, the Ségur family established the property as a significant winemaking estate, and by the 18th century, its wines were famously served at the court of Versailles. At this time, the Maréchal de Richelieu helped popularize the wine, leading to its reputation as the wine of the king. Baron James de Rothschild purchased the property at auction in 1868, just months before his death. The estate has remained in the same family for six generations. In 2018, Saskia de Rothschild assumed leadership as chairwoman, succeeding her father, Baron Eric de Rothschild.

The vineyard covers 112 hectares situated on a plateau that represents some of the highest ground in the Pauillac appellation. The soil is primarily composed of deep, fine gravel mixed with aeolian sand, resting on a subsoil of tertiary limestone. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant variety, making up 70 percent of the plantings, followed by 25 percent Merlot, 3 percent Cabernet Franc, and 2 percent Petit Verdot. Winemaking involves fermenting grapes from specific plots in separate wooden, stainless steel, or concrete vats to maintain precision. The wine typically ages for 18 to 20 months in new oak barrels, all of which are produced at the estate's onsite cooperage.

This property was one of the four original properties to receive First Growth status in the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux. Its primary wine, Château Lafite Rothschild, is recognized for its longevity and a style that emphasizes aromatic complexity and finesse over concentration. The estate also produces a second wine, Carruades de Lafite, named after a specific group of vineyard plots acquired in 1845. These wines are known to maintain their structure for 50 years or more in the cellar. The property occupies a central position in the global wine market and is frequently a point of reference for the quality of the Pauillac region.