Carruades Lafite 2016 has been released at €135 per bottle ex-negociant, a 12.5% increase on the 2015 release price of €120. It is being offered by UK merchants for £1,650 per 12×75, up 31% in Sterling terms on the 2015 release of £1,260 per case.
Critics have noticed that this year’s Carruades offers a slightly different style than previous vintages. James Suckling awarded a score of 94-95, remarking that the wine is “the most tannic and textured Carruades ever… New style?”. Neal Martin scored the wine a lower – but still relatively strong – 89-91. He reported that winemaker Eric Kohler had increased the level of new oak, and observed “more ripeness than previous vintages”.
Prices for Carruades Lafite are not closely correlated to critic scores, instead following a traditional pricing pattern for fine wine where vintages appreciate with the passing of time. However as Carruades Lafite has a shorter maturity profile, as well as a following in Asia, price rises after release for recent vintages have been dramatic. The 2016 vintage is subsequently entering the market at a release price higher than any, other than 2009 or 2010, yet will be the cheapest available vintage on the market.
You can keep up with other critic scores as they are released on the Liv-ex Insights critic scores page.
Liv-ex members can see ongoing real time prices for Carruades Lafite on Market View.
[mc4wp_form id=”18204″]
