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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Château Lafite Rothschild is a wine estate in the Médoc region of Pauillac, covering 178 hectares, 116 of which are vineyards. Ranked "first great cru" in 1855, he shared this distinction with four other Bordeaux castles. Its history dates back to the 14th century, but it was in the 17th century that the Ségur family developed the vineyard, perfected in the 18th century by the Marquis Nicolas-Alexandre de Ségur. Wine, introduced to the Court of Versailles by the Duke of Richelieu, became "the wine of the King".

At the Revolution, the estate was confiscated as a national property and purchased by a Dutchman. In 1868, Baron James de Rothschild acquired a public sale. The Rothschild family runs from the castle, with figures like Élie (1946-1974), Éric (1975-2017), and Saskia de Rothschild (since 2017). The estate, registered with historical monuments in 1989, preserves architectural elements of the 18th and 19th centuries, such as a Louis XIV staircase and vaulted cellars.

The 116-hectare vineyard, planted with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, produces 15 000 to 20 000 cases of wine annually, as well as a second wine, the Carruades de Lafite. The mythical vintages (1921, 1945, 1982) and the perfect notes of Robert Parker (1986, 1996, 2003, 2010) reinforce his reputation. The castle is also known for its controversies, as the dispute with the brand "Château Lafitte" in France and China.

Inside the castle reflects three centuries of history, with woodwork, tapestries and Napoleon III furniture. The cellars, connected by galleries, house ancient vats in Bosnian oak. The terroir, composed of severe fine and limestone, includes plots over 80 years old, such as "La Gravière" planted in 1886. The estate thus combines historical heritage and winery excellence.

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