Most Wanted Sale – Curated Collection

Proof: 24

Volume: 750ml

Type: wine

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By Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1er Cru Classe Pauillac 2020 The Vintage The vintage was so early in all its stages that we prepared all year to harvest early from the end of August. The harvest was the last stage of a year of constant concern, in which we went from monitoring temperatures at the weather station to watching the vines closely to detect any development of powdery mildew. The last test we had to face was the storm of August 15, which had 100 mm of rainfall that caused us great concern. Little did we know then that it would become a blessing. By the end of August, growth and ripeness seemed normal, but when we tasted the grapes, their extremely expressive aromas were a great surprise. The rain in mid-August boosted the ripening process. The harvest was excellent, and fermentation progressed very well. The musts reveal a young monster in the making - restrained, incredibly elegant, but disciplined. Terroir Chateau Lafite Rothschild is located in the north of the appellation, bordering Saint Estephe. Lafite's best terroirs stretch on the 50 ha Plateau des Carruades to the west of the Chateau. This plateau, the highest point of the Pauillac appellation, is well-drained and enjoys optimal sun exposure. Its clayey gravel soils offer excellent water-regulating abilities and provide optimal ripening conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon. Some 4.5 ha planted in the neighboring Saint-Estephe appellation count among the oldest vines of the property and provide year after year grapes of outstanding quality for the Grand Vin. Vinification For Lafite's terroir to produce its magic, the vinification process must be carried out with extreme precision. The distribution of the grapes between wooden, stainless steel, and concrete vats is determined based on the characteristics of each plot and the grapes' degree of maturity. Alcoholic fermentation occurs at a controlled temperature with regular pumping over to gently extract phenolic compounds. The maceration period is around 22 days. After malolactic fermentation, the wines are transferred to French oak barrels. Lafite has its own cooperage in Pauillac, the Tonnellerie des Domaines, which contributes to its unique style. Every barrel is tasted, and only the best are selected for the final blend. The wine is then aged in new oak barrels for 15 months. Technical Details Varietals: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot Alcohol Content: 12.50% pH: 3.94 Total Acidity: 3.35 g/l [Information provided by Chateau Lafite Rothschild]